Seymour Health encouraging staff and patients to quit smoking

There’s growing evidence that smokers are also at higher risk of complications from the virus.

Just as importantly, people who smoke are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes, and to develop other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, emphysema or cancers.

Preventing smoking-related illnesses requiring a hospital stay, ventilators and intensive care could help to reduce the burden on the health system and make sure Seymour Health has enough capacity to deal with seasonal respiratory viruses.

As part of the embedding prevention in routine care: tobacco-free living initiative, Seymour Health will be ensuring all patients and staff are asked about their smoking status, advised of the best way to quit if they smoke, and offered best practice treatment to stop smoking: medications (like nicotine replacement therapy) and referral to Quitline (13 78 48).

The initiative was launched late last year and will soon reach the implementation phase.

Seymour Health chief executive Ward Steet said the initiative highlights the important role health services and their staff play in helping their people to stop smoking.

“We’re proud to be at the forefront of best practice smoking cessation care and to help improve long-term health outcomes for people in Seymour and the surrounding communities,” he said.

“Our health service supports a diverse population and we want to make sure all our patients and staff who are thinking about quitting have access to evidence-based support and advice.”

Quit director Dr Sarah White said health services are well placed to influence and support their patients and staff members to quit.

“Tobacco dependence is a clinical issue and encounters with a health service present an ideal opportunity for people who smoke to receive timely, best practice care to quit,” she said.

“Now is the perfect time to quit smoking. As soon as you stop smoking your body begins to repair itself. Over time, your risk of life-threatening health problems, including heart disease and stroke, drops dramatically.

“Your lungs’ natural cleaning system begins to recover, becoming better at removing mucus, tar and dust from your lungs, and your immune system strengthens, so your body is better at fighting off infection.

“And, if you’re still trying to quit (or even if you have recently quit), there are other things you can do to protect yourself and others.

“Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting the flu shot for both you and your family, and try to avoid being around second-hand smoke.”

Evidence shows the best way to stop smoking is to use a tailored quit counselling service such as Quitline on 13 7848 to beat triggers and habits, along with stop smoking medications (such as nicotine replacement therapy) to manage cravings.

For support, call the Quitline on 13 78 48 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday.

Quitline is a non-judgemental and culturally inclusive telephone service for all, including the LGBTIQ+ community. Aboriginal Quitline counsellors are also available.