1. Opportunity to intervene?
Firstly, the appropriate timing to carry out the intervention is important – the physical setting and emotional setting needs to be right e.g. approach the subject with sensitivity in a quiet, confidential area of the workplace.
Furthermore, significant events or transition points in people’s lives present an important opportunity for intervening at some or all of the levels, because it is then that people often review their own behaviour and contact services. Typical transition points include: leaving school, entering the workforce, becoming a parent, becoming unemployed, retirement and bereavement.
An example of prompts that you can use to raise the issue of smoking would be looking at the individuals symptoms.
Are they complaining of:
- Being unhappy with their health
- Respiratory problems, e.g. shortage of breath, sore throats and colds.
- Dental problems, e.g. bleeding gums (top)
2. Raising the issue
Raise health issues in a friendly, non-threatening manner which uses indirect questions to start with.
Q: Have you seen our promotion/advertisement for a healthy lifestyle consultation?
If you have established that the person is interested in changing to a healthier lifestyle then you can begin to ask more direct questions.
Q: Do you smoke?
Q: Have you ever tried to stop smoking?
Q: Are you interested in stopping now?
Doing brief interventions requires good communication skills. It is important to:
- listen to what people say
- notice what they do not say
- watch what they do
- think about their situation
- think about what you know about them
- talk with them in a way which is not threatening
- avoid giving a lecture about health behaviour
A warm, reflective, and understanding style of delivering brief intervention is more effective than an aggressive, confrontational, or coercive style. (top)
3. Recommendations
Stopping smoking is the greatest single step you can make to improve your health - smokers who stop before the age of 45 have a life expectancy close to people who have never smoked.
4. What are the benefits of stopping smoking?
Smoking causes cancer, lung and heart disease as well as other health problems, such as delayed healing.
Stopping smoking is the greatest single step you can make to improve your health - smokers who stop before the age of 45 have a life expectancy close to people who have never smoked.
Smoking also affects the health of people around you. Non-smokers who breathe in second-hand smoke are at risk of the same diseases as smokers, including cancer and heart disease.
Once your body is smoke free, it will begin to heal within 20 minutes:
20 MINUTES
Your blood pressure and pulse return to normal. Circulation improves – especially in your hands and feet.
8 HOURS
Your blood oxygen levels return to normal and your chance of having a heart attack falls.
24 HOURS
Carbon monoxide leaves your body. Your lungs start to clear out mucus and debris.
48 HOURS
Congratulations. Your body is now nicotine free. And have you noticed how your sense of taste and smell have improved?
72 HOURS
Your breathing is easier. You have more energy.
2-12 WEEKS
Circulation is now improved throughout your body. It’s easier for you to walk and exercise now.
3-9 MONTHS
Your lung efficiency is up by 5-10 per cent. Breathing problems are fading away. Say goodbye to coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing.
5 YEARS
You now have only half the chance of getting a heart attack compared to a smoker.
10 YEARS
The chance of you getting lung cancer is now half that of a smoker. Your chances of having a heart attack are now the same as someone who’s never smoked. (top)
5. Stages of change model – are they ready to change?
Brief interventions can help instigate a natural process, from pre-contemplation, to contemplation to action. The Stages of change model is a useful tool to describe the process that people will go through en route to health behaviour change. Follow the link to the stages of change model and explanations of the stages in relation to smoking. (click here)
However, are they ready to commit to change?
As well as exploring readiness, it’s useful to explore the importance of changing by using a question such as:
How important is it for you to stop smoking? If 0 was ‘not important’ and 10 was ‘very important’, what number would you give yourself?
Also, explore the individual’s confidence in changing to a healthier lifestyle by using a question such as:
If you decided right now to stop smoking, how confident do you feel about succeeding with this? If 0 was ‘not confident’ and 10 was ‘very confident’, what number would you give yourself?
The response to the above questions will help you understand exactly what someone feels about change. Follow the link to some useful questions which can help you further Explore Importance and Build Confidence. Useful questions (click here).
If the individual appears to be ready to change, refer them into the local Stop Smoking service, by giving them the appropriate literature and contact details. (top)
6. Top tips for stopping smoking
- Buddy up with a friend or relative so you can support each other.
- Contact your local NHS Stop Smoking Service. Trained advisors are waiting to help you.
- Use stop smoking medicines to cope with the withdrawal symptoms.
- Avoid situations where you might be tempted to smoke again.
- Identify your smoking triggers and plan ahead.
- Note how much cash you’re saving – and treat yourself.
- Take it one day at a time and reward yourself every day.
- Keep telling yourself you can do it! (top)
7. Links to Local and National Support
Local
Stop Smoking Service 01209 215666
www.smokefreecornwall.co.uk
National
NHS Smoking Helpline 0800 169 0 169 (7am – 11pm every day)
(top)
8. Leaflet available for ordering or downloading
Leaflet: Stop Smoking, Start Living (click here to download pdf)
To order your leaflets through the Health Promotion Library (click here)
(top)
|
