Dave Jones Tobacco Cessation Programme Manager, Public Health England, London
Ailsa Rutter Director, Fresh Smoke Free North East, Durham
Abstract
Since being established nationally in 1999, there is no doubt that Stop Smoking Services have provided hugely cost-effective health interventions. Over 7.4 million smokers have set a quit date with their support over that period. However, from a peak in activity in 2010/11, we have seen a 29% fall in numbers accessing services, according to the latest 2013/14 statistics. That`s 110,000 fewer smokers engaging nationally in the first half of the year, compared to that peak.
We can speculate on the reasons behind this - from the rise in electronic cigarettes popularity, public health re-organisation, declining GP engagement, and societal changes, with smokers now being able to access support from many other channels. Another reason often cited for fewer smokers accessing SSS is that “we have picked the low-hanging fruit and there now only remains a hard-core of smokers with whom to engage”. Yet, with one in five adults regularly smoking, and national surveys suggesting that overall quit attempts are still happening in record numbers, what does this suggest about the future role of SSSs?
This session will further explore some of the reasons behind this decline in activity, and will discuss some of the options for future models of delivery, including a re-positioning of SSS back to their original intention of “helping the most disadvantaged smokers” to quit.
