National No Smoking Day: Ministers for Health commend record numbers choosing to quit
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 14 February 2024
- Last updated on: 14 February 2024
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Hildegarde Naughton are marking National No Smoking Day (Ash Wednesday, 14 February 2024) by praising the efforts of over 19,000 people for engaging with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Quit Programme last year.
It follows significant investment through the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme and the Enhanced Community Care Chronic Disease Programme, which has greatly increased the availability of stop smoking services across communities in Ireland.
Medicines like Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) are now available for free and have proven to significantly help people seeking to quit since the National Stop Smoking Clinical Guidelines were published in 2022, with use of NRT products rising by nearly 10% in four years.
Minister Donnelly said:
"Smoking tobacco products is highly addictive. Sadly, each week in Ireland almost 100 people die and 1,000 people are hospitalised because of preventable harm caused by smoking, and this must change. The good news is that the number of people seeking support to stop smoking is at the highest ever recorded in the history of the health service.
"This demonstrates a real desire from people to kick the habit for good. It takes courage and commitment to stop smoking and I congratulate every person that smokes who takes that first step toward a healthier life."
Minister Naughton said:
"Great strides have been made with the percentage of the population who smoke falling from 23% in 2015 to 18% in 2022.
"This year around 22,000 people are expected to engage with HSE stop smoking services, of which a quarter will require medical intervention and supports. I was pleased to secure €1.82 million to assist people in kicking the habit this year.
"We are optimistic the trend showing a downward trajectory towards a smoke-free society will continue with the help of medicines like Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) now available for free. I would encourage anyone who smokes to connect with the HSE's Quit Programme and quit smoking for a happier and healthier life."
The HSE Quit Programme recognises that smoking is an addiction, and provides clinically recommended treatments and supports to give people the best chance of giving up the habit permanently.
Quit supports available
HSE Quit services are free and available all year round. The Quit service provides personalised, evidence-based plans, tailored to each person’s needs, using any combination of the support options:
- an online personalised Quit plan where people can track their progress
- face-to-face and group support from local community based services
- text message or phone support from the Freephone Quitline 1800 201 203
- a free Quit Kit to help prepare
- free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and advice on how to use it
- daily tips and support from people who have quit and who are trying to quit on the You Can Quit Facebook page
Top tips for quitting smoking successfully
1. Don’t go it alone. HSE Quit is there to help you take this step with simple, practical and effective help, maximising the chance of staying quit for good. Staff will provide non-judgemental support and encouragement.
2. Focus on the goal to stay smoke-free for one day at a time until 28 days. Once people get to that goal, they are up to 5 times more likely to stay quit for good.
3. Use stop-smoking medicine, like NRT. This is a safe, effective and a clinically sound way of getting through the first 28 days and dealing with cravings.
Notes
Quit spokesperson available on request.
To get NRT for free, contact:
- our stop smoking advisors - they'll arrange for you to get the NRT through your GP or a participating pharmacy
- our Quitline on 1800 201 203
- your GP if you have a medical card
You can also buy NRT in pharmacies or some supermarkets.
There are some situations when it might not be good to use NRT. Talk to your GP if you:
- are pregnant
- are under 18
- have recently had a heart attack
Further information:
- tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death in Ireland causing almost 100 deaths and results in significant costs to the health service in treating illness caused by tobacco
- for more information you can watch or listen to the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast on quitting smoking available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, and on the HSE Health and Wellbeing YouTube channel
- the number of clients referred from general practitioners has increased year-on-year since 2021. In October almost 500 referrals to QUIT services were from GPs with over half of those referrals now supported by the service