Brenda FlanneryNorma Cronin

6th May 2010

Update on the National Smokers Quitline and Tobacco

Control in Ireland

National Smokers Quitline

First established by the Irish Cancer Society in 1999

Re-launched in 2003

Funded by the Health Services Executive and managed by the Irish Cancer Society

National Smoker’s Quitline

Staffed by trained smoking cessation advisors at a call centre

provider

Advisors provide reactive support to callers

Monday – Saturday from 08:00 – 22:00hrs

Counsellors available for reactive and proactive support

Monday 09:00 – 19:00hrs

Tuesday – Thursday 09:00 – 17:00hrs

Advisor’s Role

Provide reactive service

Advice and support to caller

Send out a Quitting booklet

Transfer call live to a counsellor or arrange a call-back from a

counsellor

Refer to GP or Pharmacist when appropriate.

Refer to Smoking Cessation Facilitators in their local Health Board

areas for one-to-one support and smoking cessation courses.

Protocol for Advisors

The caller is assessed based on Prochaska & Di Clemente

stages of change model

Assessment of nicotine dependency

Stage specific intervention is made by the advisor

Quitting methods are discussed

Smoking cessation information is sent to callers

All calls are registered outlining callers smoking profile

Counsellors’ Role

Offer advice and support to those in the quitting process and referral to local Health Service Executive services.

Quitline counselling protocol

Follow on support once a caller has quit with

- 4 calls over the first 6 weeks

- One call at three months

- One call at six months

- One call at one year

Call Volume

2004 23,000 people called Quitline

2009 6,000 calls were received

6 Month Evaluation of Quitline

Conducted by Behaviour and Attitudes on behalf of Irish Cancer Society and Health Promotion Unit, Dept of Health

Six months from Nov 03 to Apr 04

Almost 7,000 (33%) quit

72% has attempted to quit on at least one occasion

Average period off cigarettes is around 21 weeks

1 Year Evaluation of Quitline

4,350 people (22%) had achieved ultimate success (had not had a cigarette for one year)

60% of those who quit say the Quitline was either a significant or an important aspect of helping them stay off

Progress in Legislation

Legislation removing point of sale advertising and display of tobacco products at retail outlets and licensed premises came into effect on 1st July 2009

Research carried out by OTC in late 2009 showed that 98% of stores are compliant with the legislation prohibiting tobacco advertising and 97% are compliant with the legislation regarding the display of cigarettes for sale in-store

A National Register of Tobacco Retailers for persons selling tobacco products came into effect on 1st July 2009

Progress on Legislation

Smoke-free workplaces continue to enjoy widespread support and compliance

National Tobacco Retail Audit - 2009 Monitoring report showed that the % of retailers refusing to sell cigarettes to under 18 year olds has increased by 8 points to 68%. This compares to a 60% refusal rate in 2008 and 52% in 2007

First voluntary smoke free stadium GAA match was held as part of the Ulster GAA championship. The event was a success demonstrating strong public support for the measure

THANK YOUIrish Cancer Societywww.irishcancer.ie