Almost a year has passed since the Scottish Executive passed legislation which outlawed smoking in public buildings and places of employment, and despite the initial fears, most pubs, bars and pubs have not shut down.

However, figures published last year by Scottish Grocers’ Federation shows an increase in the amount of cigarettes purchased.

Despite expectations that there would be a drop in the number of smokers and in the amount of tobacco being smoked, Scots are now buying 61,000 more packets of cigarettes every week than before the ban.

Susan Birse, tobacco co-ordinator at NHS Highland, is not surprised by this figure.

Mrs Birse runs a Smoking Cessation Service at the NHS trust which has already helped more than 500 smokers aged between 15 and 82 give up.

Of this figure, 59 per cent have been females.

Mr Birse told the Highland News Group: “The majority of people know that smoking is bad for you and many have tried, and failed, to give up.

“All of a sudden when the smoking ban came in last March those smokers who were quite keen to give it up were given a reason to do so.”

But Mrs Birse, an ex-smoker herself, admits the service, which has been running since April last year, did not have an immediate rush of smokers beating down the door for help.

She said: “More than 500 people have gone through the service between June and December last year.

“It took a bit of time before they finally decided the time was right to quit.

“It is common for those who smoke to have something coming up that makes them think they have to stop – they always find an excuse.”

This is where the Smoking Cessation Service comes into play.

There are two full-time and eight part-time advisors working for the service across the Highlands.

Instead of giving up, smokers have just taken their addiction outside.

Staff, which includes practice nurses trained to a deliver specialist cessation support, offer advice and support for those looking to give up as well as guiding them the types of nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) to suit their needs.

Mrs Birse said: “The type of help offered varies across the region and could be one-to-one advice or even group advice depending on the needs of the individual.

“A client could be sitting at home and feel the desire to have a cigarette and then phone – or text – an advisor who will then try and help them through the situation.”

She added: “The first thing we do is ask them why they are there, establish their smoking pattern and what support they need.

“It’s more of a discussion about what we can do for them and they can do for themselves.

“Later on we will set about planning for when they give up, setting a quit date, getting rid of ashtrays and what NRTs they may need to quit.”

Smokers using the service are then given a four-week period where they have weekly contacts with smoking cessation advisor. These can either be by phone, text or face to face.

“Everyone is completely different and that is where the advisor comes in.

“They help you get the best service and plan out how to help you quit by asking what would be the hardest cigarette to cut out – first thing in the morning or while watching TV with a cup of tea.

“Nobody is the same and that is why the service is completely tailored to the individual.

“You are four times more likely to be successful in giving up smoking for good if you have support from a smoking cessation adviser combined with NRT.”

To contact the Highland Smoking Cessation Service ring 0845 757 3077.

c.hay@highland-news.co.uk

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