Health campaigners on the Isle of Wight have welcomed the announcement of new plans to stop the promotion of smoking to young people. This will mean removing cigarette displays in shops and preventing underage access to vending machines.

In a survey of young people aged between 10 and 15 years on the Isle of Wight 30 per cent responded ‘Yes’ to the question ‘Have You Ever Smoked’. This was marginally higher than the average for England.

Commenting, Carol Foley, Smoking Cessation Team Lead on the Isle of Wight said: “This is welcome news. Here on the Island we have lots of support services in place to help people stop smoking but it is just as important to reduce the number of people taking up smoking for the first time, especially young people.   I would urge anyone wanting to stop smoking to contact Island Quitters.”

Support is available across the Island from ‘Island Quitters’, the local NHS Stop Smoking Service. They are a team of specialist stop smoking advisors who provide intensive support to those who wish to stop smoking. You can self refer to any of the chosen clinics. No need to make an appointment, just come along to your chosen venue. Your Doctor or other Health Professional may also refer you to the service. Again, no need for an appointment. Just attend the venue that is the most convenient for you. 

At your first visit to a support session you will be asked to complete a registration form. An advisor will help you complete this form if you need help. All the information that you provide is confidential and will help the advisors to support you throughout your quit. Each quitter takes part in an in depth consultation discussing items such as motivation to quit, behaviour change and the choice and correct way to use Nicotine replacement therapy or other stop smoking medications. Each week a carbon monoxide breath test is taken using a special monitor. This helps to motivate you to remain smoke free as it shows you how quickly carbon monoxide leaves your body when you do not smoke. 

To contact Island Quitters call 01983 814280 or txt or call 07919598549  or email islandquitters@iow.nhs.uk.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. Media enquiries to the Isle of Wight Primary Care Trust Communications Team on 01983-534184 or 552003.
2. A copy of the Department of Health announcement is attached.
3. Further information about the effects of Smoking and its prevalence on the Isle of Wight can be found in the Director of Public Health’s annual report for 2008 at http://www.iow.nhs.uk/index.asp?record=821 and in the compendium of data on smoking at http://www.iow.nhs.uk/index.asp?record=976.