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16/11/2005
Text service encourages smokers to quit
Smokers will be able to access support enabling them to quit via text messages, emails and phone-calls, under new plans announced by the government.
The ‘Together’ programme is aimed at helping those who wish to keep their attempt at kicking the habit discreet. It is also suitable for people in remote areas and shift workers, who might be unable to attend support meetings.
Under the programme, smokers register their quit date and 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.
If the smoker opts out of the service or it is discovered that they have started smoking again, they will be encouraged to persevere and set a new quit date.
Launching the scheme, Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said: “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.
“By providing this type of innovative solution, we hope to get more people to give up smoking and reduce their likelihood of developing smoking related diseases.”
The Department of Health said that the initiative had already proved to be successful during a pilot involving 30,000 smokers. Nearly a third of participants had given up smoking after six months, compared to only 5% going ‘cold turkey’ alone.
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.”
(KMcA/SP)
The ‘Together’ programme is aimed at helping those who wish to keep their attempt at kicking the habit discreet. It is also suitable for people in remote areas and shift workers, who might be unable to attend support meetings.
Under the programme, smokers register their quit date and 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.
If the smoker opts out of the service or it is discovered that they have started smoking again, they will be encouraged to persevere and set a new quit date.
Launching the scheme, Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said: “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.
“By providing this type of innovative solution, we hope to get more people to give up smoking and reduce their likelihood of developing smoking related diseases.”
The Department of Health said that the initiative had already proved to be successful during a pilot involving 30,000 smokers. Nearly a third of participants had given up smoking after six months, compared to only 5% going ‘cold turkey’ alone.
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.”
(KMcA/SP)
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