NHSWI quit smoking rates are the best

Figures released by Public Health Scotland for 2019/20 confirm that NHSWI achieved better results than any other health board for those who quit the habit with NHS support and were not smoking at four and 12 weeks later.

The rate of successful quit attempts at the four-week mark ranged across Scotland’s health boards with just over 30 per-cent in NHS Lothian to more than 72 per cent for NHS Western Isles, with the Scotland-wide average being just above 38 per cent.

Nationally the figure for successful quit attempts with NHS support at 12 weeks fell to below 24 per-cent on average across Scotland but with NHSWI achieving a rate close to 70 per cent.

In a statement, a spokesperson for NHSWI put the success down to the “commitment of our quitters” and to the “excellent relationships”  local services have with primary and secondary care colleagues working in GP practices, hospital clinic settings and within pharmacies.

NHSWI’s spokesperson said: “We would like to offer our thanks to all those involved in this success and encourage them to continue referring any of their patients, family or friends who smoke to come along and see if they can join the others who have quit successfully within the Western Isles.”

Joanne O’Donnell, Smoking Cessation Coordinator, said: “Getting quality support from our experienced, dedicated and friendly team can make a real difference. You can become fitter, healthier and wealthier and cut yourself free from the dependency that tobacco products bring.”