This webinar was recorded on 29th January 2025
Speaker:
-
Martina Blake, National Lead, HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme
Resources:
Presentation Slides: Available Here
Supplemental resource: Available Here
Summary:
In this webinar, Martina Blake and her colleagues address the comprehensive national strategies and initiatives aimed at achieving a tobacco free Ireland. The webinar outlines the commitment to a tobacco free environment and details the significant reduction in the prevalence of smoking from 23% to 17% over the past nine years. It highlights the challenges faced, including those amongst lower socioeconomic groups, the rising use of e-cigarettes including use in younger people, and the impact of tobacco use on the health service. The discussion also covers the behavioural support strategies offered by the HSE Stop Smoking Service, an evidence-based standard treatment programme for tobacco cessation. These include personalised counselling, access to medicines, and a focus on creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment for those seeking to quit smoking. Referral pathways to the service are detailed, as are the medicines used, and the clinical guidelines developed in this area. Details on the prescription and reimbursement processes for smoking cessation medicines are provided. The webinar also provides details on the HSELanD e-learning course available for healthcare professionals and signposts to the many HSE resources available and how to access them. Community engagement is emphasised as a key component in the promotion of a tobacco free Ireland with the webinar providing an insight in to ‘next steps’.