Text messages, e-mail and telephone support are to be made available from the NHS to help smokers quit. The new digital approach to ditching nicotine was unveiled today by public health minister, Caroline Flint.
The Department of Health says the new ‘Together’ programme expands the current NHS stop smoking services to those people who may not want to quit in a face-to-face settings and would prefer to keep their attempt discreet. It is also suitable for people who live in remote areas, shift workers or people with special needs.
Speaking at a conference organised by Cancer Research UK, Caroline Flint said: "We have already had a huge amount of success through the NHS Stop Smoking Services. In the past year, almost 300,000 people have given up using the one-to-one or group counselling that is available to them.
“However, it is clear that not everybody will be suited to this type of help and would prefer to receive support in their home environment which fits around their busy lives.”
The initiative has already proved successful during its pilot of 30,000 users. Evaluation of the programme indicated that nearly a third of this group had given up after six months, compared to only 5% of those going ‘cold turkey’. The study also found that 85% of respondents gave ‘Together’ a positive rating for providing practical help and building confidence and 70% said that the programme made them feel motivated to quit.
Smokers who call the NHS Smoking Helpline (0800 169 0 169) will be offered the ‘Together’ programme as an alternative to the more traditional services. After registering their quit date, participants will then receive a series of supportive direct mail packs, text messages and call backs as they reach the key stages of the giving up process.
The programme can be tailored according to the needs of the individual so they can choose what communication they would like to receive and change their quit date if needed. If a quitter opts out of the service or it is discovered through the call back system or other communications, that they have started smoking again, they will be encouraged to persevere and to set a new quit date.
Alexia Patterson, NHS Smoking Helpline adviser said: "Research shows that smokers are much more likely to give up smoking for good with the help of ongoing support, rather than relying on willpower alone. This new service gives those people who are less willing to opt for face-to-face help a real alternative. Receiving ongoing communication in the form of text messages, emails and call backs ensures that, even without the face-to-face element, we are able to reach people who might otherwise not have given up."
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