Smoking Cessation 27
Smoking cessa�on: An Essen�al but Under-U�lised Pillar of Irish Healthcare
Writen by Dr S Griffiths, Dr D Breen, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University
Smoking cessation: An Essential but Under-Utilised Abstract: Pillar of Irish Smoking Healthcare remains the single leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death worldwide
Irish adults are ac�veofsmokers, and recent years Galway have seenUniversity an upwardHospital trend of young pe Written by Dr S Griffiths, 18% Dr DofBreen, Department Respiratory Medicine,
developing a nico�ne addic�on, in part due to the rise in popularity of electronic nico�ne delive Abstract: Smoking remains the single Smoking leading cause of preventable disease, disabilitycomponent and death worldwide. (ENDS). cessa�on services are an essen�al of tobaccoCurrently control,18% and of play a ke Irish adults are active smokers,mee�ng and recent years have seen an upward trend of young people developing a nicotine addiction, the goal of a Tobacco-Free Ireland. in part due to the rise in popularity of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Smoking cessation services are an essential In this paper we will analyse current prevalence and trends in smoking habits in Ireland, and disc component of tobacco control, and play a key role in meeting the goal of a Tobacco-Free Ireland. of ENDS in the market, par�cularly the impact on Irish teenagers and poten�al legisla�on to tack In this paper we will analyse current prevalence and trends in smoking habits in Ireland, and discuss the impact of ENDS in challenge. We aim to iden�fy successful smoking cessa�on frameworks worldwide and discuss t the market, particularly the impact on Irish teenagers and potential legislation to tackle this novel challenge. We aim to identify the pa�ent and the system. A localtoaudit conducted in Galway University pr successful smoking cessationboth frameworks worldwide andhealth discuss the benefits both the patient and the health system. Hospital A local audit conducted in Galway University insight into current cessation practise methods and we have into current Hospital smokingprovides cessa�on prac�se and wesmoking have iden�fied poten�al to improve loc identified potential methods towill improve local willSmoking review theGuideline National Stop Guideline 2022, in particular review thesystems. Na�onalWe Stop 2022,Smoking in par�cular it’s applica�on to the hospita it’s application to the hospital setting and discuss the need for increased training among all healthcare staff in smoking discuss the need for increased training among all healthcare staff in smoking cessa�on provision cessation provision. Mee�ng the goal of being tobacco-free by 2025 is dependent on accelera�ng progress with smo Meeting the goal of being tobacco-free by 2025 is dependent on accelerating progress with smoking cessation in Ireland, in Ireland, and this paper aims to iden�fy current challenges to Irish smoking habits and iden�fy and this paper aims to identify current challenges to Irish smoking habits and identify an effective approach to improving our smoking cessation services. approach to improving our smoking cessa�on services. Introduc�on:
term illness and chronic health problems, compared with 27% of Tobacco use is the leading cause Tobacco use is4 the cause of preventable death, disease and disability worldwide. (1) The never smokers. Year leading on year, the of preventable death, disease HI Survey identifies 25–34-yearOrganisa�on (WHO) describes current tobacco usage worldwide as a global epidemic. The Healt and disability worldwide.1 The olds as the age group most likely World Health Organisation (WHO) Report to smoke, and(HI) the proportion 2022 reports that 18% of the popula�on of Ireland are current smokers. There has b describes current tobacco usage of smokers in this group has worldwide as a global epidemic. significant shi� in demographics in Ireland with the Central Sta�s�cs Office publishing data for th experienced a 4-point increase The Healthy Ireland Report 2022 to 24%, significantly higher than 2022, showing the 4largest 12-month increase in the popula�on of Ireland since 2008, in part acc (HI) reports that 18% of the the national average. Smoking population of Ireland are current 15-year high immigrant prevalence byin age and gender arrivals (2). These demographic shi�s will have a major impact on smo smokers. There has been a is illustrated in Figure 1 and of significant shift in demographics prevalence; for example note highlights the persistentthe rapid increase in Ukrainian na�onals to Ireland will ul�mately result in Ireland with the Central high smoking rates within young Statistics Office publishing data in overall smoking numbers; it was es�mated that in 2022, 27.4% of the Ukrainian adult popula� adults, particularly males, and the for the year ending 2022, showing (3). decrease in smoking prevalence the largest 12-month increase in among older adults. Dr Sally Griffiths Dr David Breen the population of Ireland since 2008, in part accounted for by a Current and trends in smoking habits: The useprevalence of electronic nicotine 15-year high in immigrant arrivals.2 delivery systems (ENDS), often before Éireann,use, and proposes variable, strict health regulatoryeffects The HI survey also reflects data onwithout long aterm of Dáil tobacco repor�ng that These demographic shifts will referred to as e-cigarettes or WHO framework, to introduce a regulatory framework and at present there have a major impact on smoking ‘vapes’ prevalent, and 39%isofincreasingly ex-smokers suffer from long-term illness and chronic health problems, wit for the retail sale of ENDS, compared termed is no definitive research on the prevalence; for example the rapid with a major expansion of this ‘nicotine inhaling products’. These long-term impacts of ENDS use, increase in Ukrainian nationals smokers. Year ontheyear, market in(4) Ireland over past the HI Survey iden�fies 25–34-year-olds as the age group most likely t measures focus on reducing access or second-hand exposure. As the to Ireland will ultimately result in two decades. Overall, 6% of the to ENDS for children by restricting of ENDS grows, there ais 4-point thepopulation propor�on of smokers in thispopularity group has experienced increase to 24%, significantly an increase in overall smoking reported using ENDS the sale of these products, and concern about their use in younger numbers; it was estimated that in na�onal regularly,average. with the highest use (4) Smoking prevalence by age and(Tobacco gender isplans illustrated inadvertisement Figure 1 and of note to prohibit people. The Public Health 2022, 27.4% of the Ukrainian adult reported in those under the age of ENDS around schools and on in smoki Products and Nicotine Inhaling 4 population smoked.3 persistent high smoking rates within young adults, par�cularly males, and the decrease of 25 (11%). ENDS are highly Products) Bill 2023 is currently public transport. Current prevalence and trends in among older adults. smoking habits: Introduction:
The HI survey also reflects WHO data on long term health effects of tobacco use, reporting that 32% of smokers and 39% of ex-smokers suffer from long-
Figure 1: Data from the Healthy Ireland Report 2022 on prevalence of smoking by age and gender4
Figure 1: Data from the Healthy Ireland Report 2022 on prevalence of smoking by age 2023 and gende | HPN • NOVEMBER HOSPITALPROFESSIONALNEWS.IE
