Western Trust stress importance of giving up smoking as 2,300 people die from smoking in Northern Ireland every year
It has been three years since the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) commenced it’s no smoking policy across all Western Trust sites and today they continue that promotional message reminding staff and visitors of the importance of giving up smoking for their health and quality of life.
The Western Trust was the first Health Trust in Northern Ireland to implement smoke free and continues that pro-active approach today via a series of promotional events in the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, the Tyrone County Hospital, Omagh and in Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry.
Dr Maura O’Neill, Co-Chair of the Smoking Cessation Committee at the Western Trust Said: “The Western Trust has led the way since No Smoking Day 2014 in implementing a smoke free policy across all our sites. Whilst this has been challenging there has been great improvements in the number of people refraining from smoking on our sites and in those who have availed of our supportive stop smoking services. We continue to ask everyone to assist us in the implementation of this important public health message across our sites.”
Research constantly shows smoking to be the single most preventable cause of illness and preventable death with 2,300 people dying each year from smoking related diseases in Northern Ireland.
The Western Trust smoking cessation team has developed an effective evidence-based service that assists individuals who wish to quit smoking through adopting a non-judgmental, supportive, empathetic and flexible approach.
Dr Albert McNeill Lead Clinician for Cardiology at the Western Health and Social Care Trust and Co-Chair of Smoking Cessation Committee said: “Once again on No Smoking Day we want to encourage and support smokers to quit. About 2500 people die in Northern Ireland annually from a smoking related disease, many from heart disease for whom smoking remains the single biggest avoidable cause of death.”
The Western Trust is keen to remind staff and visitors that the positive effects of giving up start immediately after the smoker puts out their final cigarette. After only 20 minutes; blood pressure returns to normal and after six months the risk of heart attack, cancer and other ‘smoking’ diseases falls.
It is not just your health that can benefit, quitting a 20-a-day habit will deliver an average £3,420 a year saving.
Anyone who wants to know more about stopping smoking can call the local helpline on 0800 9179388where they can speak to a member of the Smoking Cessation Team or if they want useful tips to stop smoking, visit the Want 2 Stop website at www.want2stop.info where you can also order a Quit Kit free of charge which will help you on your quit attempt.