For healthcare professionals
What is Help Me Quit?
Striving for a healthier, smoke-free future for everyone
Help Me Quit is the national smoking cessation service for Wales. Help Me Quit empowers individuals to take control of their health and break free from the grip of tobacco addiction.
By providing compassionate, 1 to 1 support, telephone support, expert guidance, and personalised tools, Help Me Quit helps thousands of smokers in Wales, every year, to achieve their goal of living smoke-free.
You can refer your patients by clicking the button below.
Benefits of referring patients to Help Me Quit
Health Professionals have a significant role to play in using every opportunity to raise the issues of smoking to patients and supporting their overall well-being.
Referring patients to Help Me Quit can be one of the most impactful actions you take to improve a patient’s health and quality of life. Some positive benefits of referring patients to Help Me Quit include:
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Improved Cardiovascular Health
Patients who quit smoking experience a 43% reduced risk of ACS recurrence, 36% lower mortality rate two years after quitting, and a 39% reduced risk of death or hospitalisation due to heart failure.
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Improved Dental Health
Quitting smoking leads to improved periodontal health with up to 30% less radiographic bone loss, fewer dental implant failures, and a significantly reduced risk of dental caries, promoting better overall oral health.
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Increase in positive outcomes for Oncologist Treatments
Quitting smoking boosts survival and treatment success across cancers, including up to 70% higher survival for bladder cancer, 50% for colorectal, and 30-50% for lung, while reducing recurrence and complications in many others.
Smoke free hospitals in Wales:
Since March 2021, all hospital grounds in Wales have been legally designated as smoke-free areas, representing a major step in minimising the impact of smoking on patients, visitors, and healthcare staff. The initiative highlights Wales’s dedication to leading the way in creating smoke-free environments worldwide.
Healthcare professionals have a duty to provide smokers with evidence-based advice about smoking cessation and inform them about the hospital’s smoke-free policy. NRT or pharmacotherapy should be promptly provided within four hours of the patient’s admission, adhering to gold-standard practices. Healthcare professionals should offer opt-out referrals to the hospitals smoking cessation team to all identified smokers, who will receive personalised quit plans based on their preferences.
Health Professionals… Thank You!
Help Me Quit give thanks to all Health Professionals for their dedication and invaluable contribution to a Smoke-Free Wales and helping individuals on their journey to quit smoking for good. Your commitment plays a vital role in improving the well-being of patients, visitors, and colleagues. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and make a significant difference.