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** 21 April 2020
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** UK
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** Smoking cessation 3: Supporting people with mental health conditions (#1)
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** Guernsey smokers encouraged to quit as they are more at risk of developing severe coronavirus complications (#2)
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** Dudley smokers urged to quit to reduce risk of coronavirus complications (#3)
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** International
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** Depression associated with higher cigarette consumption and lower quit rates (#4)
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** UK
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This article, the third in a series of five on the role of nurses in smoking cessation by smoking cessation expert Louise Ross, looks at challenges and opportunities in supporting people with poor mental health to stop smoking:
"In the UK, over 40% of adults with a serious mental illness smoke, compared with 14.4% in the general population; smoking is also the single largest cause of a reduced life expectancy of 10-20 years for this group. Although all mental health wards are expected to be smoke-free, some still struggle to achieve it. This article looks at the challenges and opportunities for community and hospital nurses in supporting people with poor mental health to stop smoking."
Key points from the article include:
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** The health and wellbeing of people with mental health conditions is greatly reduced by disproportionately high rates of smoking
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** Stopping smoking can enable the dosage of some psychotropic medications to be reduced
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** People with mental health conditions who also smoke often want to quit, but the use of stop-smoking products/medication is suboptimal for this group
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** A hospital admission is a chance to give patients a supported period of being smoke-free, which can act as a springboard for quitting altogether
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** Advance care plans in case of a hospital admission should include tobacco dependence treatment for patients who smoke
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Source: Nursing Times, 20 April 2020
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Read Article ([link removed])
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** Smokers in Guernsey are being told they are at more risk of developing severe coronavirus complications and being encouraged to quit to reduce their risk. Health professionals say it is more important to try quitting during the coronavirus pandemic as smokers are more likely to develop respiratory infections than a non-smoker and twice as likely to then develop pneumonia.
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** Dr Nicola Bark, Director of Public Health Guernsey Council, said: "This really is a very good time to consider stopping. You are three times more likely to quit successfully with professional support and medication which can all be provided through the Quitline service. Smoking harms your immune system. People who have smoked regularly for some time are also more likely to have higher rates of heart disease, high blood pressure and problems with their circulation and lung disease all of which are risk factors for more severe COVID-19 complications."
The Guernsey Government run Quitline service will be providing weekly appointments over the phone to support people trying to quit.
Andrea Tostevin, stop smoking service manager at Quitline says that contrary to popular belief there is "very good evidence" that smoking can in fact increase stress levels: "The staff at Quitline appreciate this is a worrying time for everyone and that smokers often use cigarettes as a coping strategy. However there is very good evidence that smoking actually increases stress levels and stopping smoking is good for both physical and mental health. We are also aware that some people may have returned to smoking or feel their smoking is increasing as they currently have more time on their hands. If this is something you are struggling with Quitline is here to offer advice and support."
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Source: ITV News, 19 April 2020
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Read Article ([link removed])
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Smokers across the Dudley borough are being urged to quit to help protect themselves and others during the coronavirus pandemic.
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley Council's cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: "Now more than ever, smokers should consider quitting for their health, and the health benefits to those around them. Quitting smoking will also help alleviate pressure on the NHS at a time where there is unprecedented strain on the service. I would encourage residents, especially those who are considered vulnerable, to contact the stop smoking services in Dudley for support, you are not alone and we can help."
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** In Dudley, the free stop smoking services available include ‘over the phone’ appointments with Wellness coaches, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products through the post, and the ‘Quit With Bella’ app - the Stop Smoking robo-coach. Nationally, the #QuitForCovid campaign is encouraging smokers to quit together sharing their stories online.
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Source: Worcester News, 20 April 2020
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See also: #QuitforCovid campaign ([link removed])
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Read Article ([link removed])
** International
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** Patients with depression are more likely to smoke cigarettes and are less likely to quit compared to individuals without depression, according to a study in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.
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The study used 2005 to 2017 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health public data portal. Cigarette smoking prevalence and quit ratios were assessed in respondents aged 12 years and under and 26 years and under, respectively. Current cigarette smokers were identified if they reported smoking 100 or less lifetime cigarettes and had reported smoking cigarettes in the previous 30 days.
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** From 2005 to 2017, there was a statistically significant reduction in the prevalence of current cigarette smoking from 23.58% to 17.89% in the full sample. During this same time, there was no significant change in non-daily smoking rates in people with depression (9.25% to 9.40%). Comparatively, non-daily smoking decreased from 7.02% in 2005 to 5.85% in 2017 in people without depression.
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However, the rate of daily smoking from 2005 to 2015 decreased in individuals with depression (25.21% to 15.11%) and without depression (14.94% to 9.76%). While the quit ratio increased during this period in patients with depression (28.61% to 39.75%) and those without depression (47.65% to 53.09%), ratios were lower for patients with depression.
Source: Psychiatry Advisor, 20 April 2020
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** American Journal of Preventative Medicine: Trends in the prevalence of current, daily, and nondaily cigarette smoking and quit ratios by depression status in the U.S.: 2005-2017 ([link removed])
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