Professionals

A smokefree South Yorkshire

Tobacco remains one of the most preventable causes of ill health, disability and death. Whilst rates of smoking are falling, there are still around 150,000 smokers in South Yorkshire, and people with mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia are up to four times more likely to smoke.

Promoting smoking cessation is the one of the most effective intervention a frontline worker can do to improve the mental and physical health of someone who smokes and those around them. 

Free local support

People don’t always know there is support available to them and may try to quit smoking alone, which is the least effective method.

Smokers with mental health conditions need to know that stopping smoking is easier with the right support and doesn’t have to be stressful.  Stop smoking services have the expertise to get them through it.  Most smokers want to quit and welcome the opportunity to talk about how to get started

It is important to remember that smokers with mental health conditions are just as likely to want to quit and can achieve the same levels of success as those without mental health conditions. However, they may face additional barriers when trying to quit so may need more support.

Receiving expert advice ensures they can safely stop smoking with the right tools and any medication they are taking can be adjusted accordingly.

Break the cycle

Smokers with mental health conditions have a higher level of dependency and spend disproportionately more on smoking, increasing the likelihood of financial insecurity and driving health inequalities.

Smoking causes poor physical health, decreasing the likelihood of sustained employment, further driving inequalities and locking them in a vicious cycle of dependency. Stopping smoking can break that cycle, leading to improved life prospects.

Make a difference

Stopping smoking can lead to reductions in stress, anxiety and depression, as well as improved positive mood and quality of life. Evidence shows that it can be as effective as antidepressants in reducing depression, anxiety and stress.

You can make a difference to those considering stopping smoking by having the supporting professionals guide to hand. This will enable you to support them in the best way possible.

Resources

Here are some links to resources that will enable you to support smokers to start their smokefree journey.