Smoking Cessation Engagement: A Patient Perspective

Around 12% of adults (6 million people) smoke in the UK.¹ Of the people who smoked in 2023, 55.9% intended to quit smoking.¹ It is important that individuals who want to quit can access smoking cessation services to receive support which is right for them.

Consolidation between local authorities, community services and local integrated care boards could improve efficiency in the running of these services.² Healthcare professionals, notably nurses, have their own role to play, as smokers are more likely to engage with local stop-smoking services if a health professional has referred them.³

Suzanne Cass from Action on Smoking and Health in Wales (ASH Wales) outlines the benefits of smoking cessation services, with reference to the views of how smokers felt about the services they have accessed through ASH Wales. There is also a short clip of a patient to showcase how such advice and services have personally benefited them.

Please also consider watching the on-demand video ‘The Impact of Smoking and E-cigarettes on Respiratory Health’ by Professor David Thickett to learn about the research associated with smoking and lung health.

References

1. Office for National Statistics. Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2023. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandlifeexpectancies/
bulletin/adultsmokinghabitsingreatbritain/2023

2. NHS Confed. NHS Voice Blogs: ICBs can lead the way to a smoke-free future. Nov 2023. https://www.nhsconfed.org/articles/icbs-can-lead-way-smoke-free-future

3. Jamie Waterall and Nicole Fisher. From policy to practice: creating a smokefree generation. British Journal of Nursing. Vol. 33. Issue 2. January 2024.

• Suzanne Cass

  Chief Executive Officer for Action on Smoking and Health Wales

  Read biography
  Suzanne Cass

  Chief Executive Officer for Action on Smoking and Health Wales Wales

  Role and Location
  Suzanne has been the CEO of ASH Wales since 2015 and has more than 20 years’ experience of working within the charitable healthcare sector in Wales. Having spent the early part of her career as a broadcast journalist for BBC Wales, she has an in-depth understanding of policy and health within Wales. Suzanne is a passionate advocate of ensuring third sector input is acknowledged and considered by key decision makers and championing evidence-based policy actions that address health inequalities.

  Research Interests
  ASH Wales leads on research in Wales on public attitudes towards polices and actions to achieve a smokefree Wales, the illegal tobacco and vape market, and youth vaping in Wales.