The introduction of the smoke free law has been relatively smooth, with 97% of the premises visited in the 2 weeks after the law came in being compliant.  A survey on 30 June found that over three-quarters of people supported the law.

Just before, and as the law came in the number of smokers setting a quit date rose, although it is still too early to know exactly how many people quit around this time.  However, general feedback shows that a lot of service providers have been busier than usual for this time of the year, and most smokers have been positive about the law, either accepting it and/or using it as an opportunity to make a quit attempt.  Thank you to all of you who have coped with the additional workload created by this once in a lifetime event.

 If you do come across a premise that isn’t compliant you can contact the national compliance phone line on 0800 587 1667. 

Waiting Lists / Gaps in Service

In June we updated our guidelines and launched them in July at an event at Ryton Organic Gardens with a presentation by Dr Alex Bobak, GP with a special interest in smoking cessation.  The guidelines have been updated to include Varenicline information, NRT ready reckoner, registration forms, factsheets and more, in an easy to use format in a ring binder.  Much of what is now included is in direct response to feedback from you service providers.

 We are currently in the process of distributing the guidelines to service providers, via your local Advisor.  If they haven’t got to you yet, and you want a copy please contact us 0800 0852917.

NICE published the Technology Appraisal Guidance 123 on Varenicline in July 2007.  This states that:

1.      Varenicline is recommended within its licensed indications as an option for smokers who have expressed a desire to stop smoking.

2.      Varenicline should normally be prescribed only as part of a programme of behavioural support.

Therefore, Varenicline can now be prescribed by GPs as part of a smoking cessation programme.   For further information please refer to the Revised Smoking Cessation Guidelines or contact your local Advisor.

 For GP Practices – some Practices are mailing  groups of high risk patients, eg. COPD patients who smoke, to let them know of this new option for stopping smoking and invite them to attend their stop smoking programme.

Welcome to:                                                                                                               Claire Ford, Specialist Smoking Cessation Advisor for Rural North Warwickshire (previously Tobacco Control Co-ordinator) 07900 228976                                                                              Annette Lloyd, Specialist Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Advisor (South Warwickshire) 07702 593359
Kelly-Ann Bullingham, Specialist Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Advisor (North Warwickshire) 07920 507305                                                                                                                       Happy maternity leave to Denise Milnes, Tobacco Control Co-ordinator, who has disappeared for a while (maternity cover still to be appointed).

From the Dept of Health:

Reward wheel – shows the smoker how much they will save when quitting and how their health will improve.                                                                                                                  Relapse case study – A5 flyer with a real-life quitter

From WSSS:                                                                                                                    A1 poster- to advertise your stop smoking service (if you’ve got a big window or display board!)

We still have training dates available up to January 2008 including an update workshop on:                 6 December 2007, 9.30 – 12.30 pm, Nuneaton                                                                         If you would like to book on to the update workshop or you know someone who would like a training programme (which includes dates for the 2 days training) contact Karen Lee on 0800 0852917 (mornings only). 

We have made links with the County Council Country Parks to undertake a project encouraging quitters to become more active by walking in a country park.  We haven’t been able to attract enough people so far to make a walking group viable, but still want to encourage quitters to become more active. 

 Let people attending your stop smoking service know about the walking opportunities available.  To find our the latest information go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk (country parks section) or phone Rosie Smith on 01926 418638 to be put on the mailing list for updated information

The Dept of Health is currently updating its monitoring and service guidance for stop smoking services.  It is likely that there will be increased emphasis on returning monitoring forms in a timely manner, CO validation at 4 week follow-up, investigation of success rates outside of the expected range, on-going training.  We expect the full guidance in September and will keep you informed then.

REMEMBER                                                                                                                                               1.      PLEASE RETURN FORMS AS SOON AS YOU CAN AFTER THE 4 WEEK FOLLOW-UP SO THEY CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE APPRORIATE MONITORING REPORT AND PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE.

2.      Fully complete the monitoring form

3.      Record the follow-up at 4 weeks

4.      Return the form as soon as possible after the 4 week follow-up – forms received with quit dates prior to 1 August 2006 cannot be processed.

5.      GP Surgeries – you should now be using PINK monitoring pads instead of green.  Please return any unused green pads to us.  For more pink pads phone 0800 0852917.

This took place in mid-June over 2 days and was attended by Jane Wright and Zoe Jennison.  Obviously there was a lot of information which we can’t squeeze in here, but you can view all the presentations, etc at www.uknscc.org.  A few key points:

• The UK has the best smoking cessation services in the world

• There is a danger that with the smoke free law tobacco is seen as a “done deal"

• We now have challenges ahead to tackle inequalities

Send mail to smokefreewarwickshire@nhs.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 Smoke Free Warwickshire
Last modified: 2/09/08