SmokeStop -- DHB and PHO information

An invitation
To all Pharmacists, Dentists, Medical specialists, Hospital doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Optometrists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Occupational therapists, Psychologists, Acupuncturists, Podiatrists, other health professionals, universities, companies

Dear Colleagues

NEWSFLASH
A smoker can now self refer and anyone can make a referral from the home page by clicking the Get Started button.

Following a successful national pilot smokestop remains free.

smokestop is an internet smoking cessation programme suitable for patients who like using the web, SMS text messaging, email, bulletin board and chat. The pilot demonstrated that smokestop supports practitioners to provide a Brief Advice to a smoker to quit.

Background
smokestop has been shown to be a cost effective cessation option (CTRU study 2006, carbon monoxide verified, with 74% smoker endorsement). Many smokers are unwilling to use other traditional services. With the growing use of internet and mobile phones it is timely to be using technology to assist people to make positive lifestyle changes.

smokestop was developed by Dr Andrew Lawson, FRNZCGP and Denise Barlow, Quit Specialist, National Heart Foundation. Designed to provide an easy referral option, it is based on NZ guidelines and uses a patient centred approach.

Research indicates that smoking should be viewed as a chronic disease consisting of multiple quit and relapse cycles, where a priority of cessation initiatives should be to increase the number of quit attempts. The recommendation of a health professional may be significantly influential in prompting smokers' quit attempts.

How to promote smokestop in your workplace
Ask your patients who smoke how they feel about their smoking. Any who are interested in quitting can get started themselves from the home page or you can refer them directly yourself from there.

If you would like to display wall posters they can be downloaded here.

We welcome your referrals of smokers
If you have further queries send us an email here.

Thanks in advance for your participation. Providing a brief quit advice is one of the most significant contributions you can make for your patients who want to be free of smoking and experience the benefits to their health.

Regards

Dr Andrew Lawson MBChB DipObs FRNZCGP