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Tobacco

Lit cigarette with smoke

 

Smoking remains the main cause of preventable disease and early death in Wales.

Although smoking rates have reduced over recent years 13% of the population in Cardiff and Vale smoke tobacco. This is much higher in some of our more deprived communities

Smoking is still the largest single cause of avoidable ill health and early death in Wales. Every cigarette contains over 4000 toxic chemicals that increase the risk of heart disease, a wide range of cancers, respiratory illness such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and many more health problems including sight loss, dementia and high blood pressure.

Smoking also affects mental health and wellbeing. Many smokers think smoking helps them cope with stress, the initial feeling of relaxation soon wears off and smokers start to feel anxious and stressed as they crave their next cigarette.

Smoking also affects non-smokers. When someone has a cigarette most of the smoke goes into the air around them.  This second-hand smoke can cause serious health issues for the people breathing it in. It is particularly harmful to babies and children increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, hearing problems and cancers.

The good news is that it is never too late to quit. Free NHS support is available to help people quit and improve their health, protect the people around them and save money.

Reducing smoking rates is a key priority for Cardiff and Vale Public Health Team. Welsh Government’s ‘A Smoke Free Wales: Our long-term Tobacco Control Strategy for Wales’ has set an ambitious target to make Wales smoke-free by 2030. This means that 5% or less of the population will be smokers. 

Tobacco Control is a priority action for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and our work aims to achieve a smoke-free Cardiff and Vale. We collaborate with colleagues and partners across the Health Board, Local Authorities, education, third sector and community groups.  Our work is split into 3 key areas.

 

Cessation

Smokers are three times more likely to quit with NHS support than quitting alone. Expert support is available from Help Me Quit, the NHS smoking cessation service in Wales.

No matter how long someone has smoked for it is never too late to quit. Did you know that the health benefits of stopping smoking begin after just twenty minutes. Find out more here:

https://www.helpmequit.wales/quit-for-your-health/

In addition to improving health, quitting can also help people to save money. Find out how much you could save by using the HMQ savings calculator:

https://www.helpmequit.wales/quit-for-your-finances/ 

Help Me Quit

Thousands of people in Wales quit every year with free, expert, NHS support from Help Me Quit. Cardiff and Vale have an expert team of smoking cessation practitioners who provide support in groups or one to one. Clients have a choice of sessions over the telephone or face to face in community venues across the Health Board area. 

Help Me Quit offers:

  • Free, confidential and non-judgemental support from a friendly stop smoking expert.
  • Behavioural support to help smokers to recognise triggers and manage cravings.
  • Weekly sessions tailored to meet client needs.
  • Access to free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and prescribed stop smoking medication.
  • Weekly appointments and Carbon Monoxide Monitoring to monitor progress.

Hear from Nabil, Eloise and Ryan, three of our successful quitters who have stopped smoking with HMQ:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUaovO0H8jk&list=UUQRtl1Gv9NKdAHAFoMzykOg&index=5

To find out more about Help Me Quit, the choices available to help smokers become smoke-free, success stories and common questions, visit Help Me Quit, or call 0800 085 2219 or Text HMQ to 80818 for access support to quit.

For further information about our local Help Me Quit Team and the clinics offered in Cardiff and Vale please contact: Deb.Parsons@wales.nhs.uk

 

Help Me Quit - Maternity

Pregnancy is a great time to quit smoking.  In Cardiff and Vale, a Specialist Maternity Stop Smoking Advisor supports pregnant people and anyone in their household quit.

If someone is pregnant and a smoker, the most important thing they can do to improve their health and protect their baby is to quit. Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, low birthweight and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

All pregnant smokers in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan are referred to our specialist advisor for:

  • Support, information and guidance without judgement.
  • Access to FREE nicotine replacement therapy.
  • One-to-one support over the phone or face to face.
  • Support and information for anyone else who smokes in the household.

For more information contact: Allen.JoshyJohn@wales.nhs.uk

Help Me Quit in Hospital - In-house hospital smoking cessation service

The hospital service supports patients, their family members and staff to stop smoking. This hospital-based service offers one to one long term intensive behavioural support.

To find out more or make an appointment, please contact:

 

Prevention

Smoking and Tobacco Education and Prevention Service

Staying smoke-free is one of the best things we can do for our health, environment and our finances.

Cardiff and Vale Public Health Team has a Smoking and Tobacco Education and Prevention Service to support children and young people make informed choices about smoking and vaping, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthier lives.

How We Support Young People

Our service works closely with schools, youth settings, and professionals to create environments where young people can make positive choices. This includes:

  • Supporting the development of whole-school approaches to staying smoke-free, including policies and education.
  • Delivering interactive sessions on smoking, vaping, peer pressure, and accessing support services.
  • Training professionals to ensure they have accurate and up-to-date information on tobacco and vaping.
  • Developing and signposting resources to support educators and youth workers.
  • Running the Smoke-Free Gates scheme for primary schools and pre-schools in Cardiff and the Vale.
  • Promoting smoke-free messages at youth and community events.
  • Working with partners to reduce the harm caused by smoking and vaping.
  • Involving young people in shaping how tobacco education is delivered.

A Padlet has been created to  support professionals with guidance and resources on smoking and vaping. 

To learn more about the service contact:  Lauren Thomas, Public Health Practitioner, Lauren.Thomas21@wales.nhs.uk

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board supports the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024. This bill introduces a series of measures to limit the availability and appeal of tobacco and vaping products, especially for young people. For more information visit:

https://ash.wales/campaign/understanding-the-tobacco-and-vapes-bill/

As part of our work to reduce the harms of tobacco The Public Health Team has coordinated the development of ‘Reducing the Harms of Smoking to Children and Young People: An Action Plan for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan 2022-2024’ with local and national organisations. The plan outlines commitments to how we will work towards achieving a smoke free Cardiff and Vale.

 

Environment

A smoke-free environment is a key priority for Welsh Government. All Wales smoke-free legislation makes it illegal to smoke on hospital grounds, playgrounds, school grounds and in holiday accommodation. 

Smoke free hospitals help to protect more people from harmful second-hand smoke (passive smoking), support people who are trying to quit and keep hospitals free from cigarette waste and litter. Smoking on our sites harms the health and safety of our staff, patients, visitors and the wider community. Please do not smoke anywhere on our hospital grounds. Help us to keep our hospitals healthy.

Inpatients can access Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help reduce craving and make them comfortable during their stay. Staff, patients and visitors can get support to quit from our in-house smoking cessation team, or by Help Me Quit in the community.

For more information on our work on Tobacco Control, please contact:

Catherine Perry, Principal Health Promotion Specialist: Catherine.Perry@wales.nhs.uk

Laura Wilson, Senior Health Promotion Specialist:  Laura.Wilson3@wales.nhs.uk