Facts On Smoking Cessation Services In NI From 2015 To 2016

Smoking can and does kill.

If you are interested in stopping smoking perhaps these blunt statistics might give you an idea of the scale o the problem. You are not alone in your smoking habit.

The Department of Health has published statistics relating to smoking cessation services for 2015/16.

The information released provides information on people reporting to smoking cessation services throughout the North of Ireland during the year 2015/16.

Key Findings

Within the North of Ireland during 2015/16:

*  A total of 21,285 people set a quit date through the smoking cessation services. This is a decrease of 494 (2%) on the same period last year.

*  Of those setting a quit date, 1% were under 18 years of age, 33% were aged 18-34, 22% were aged 35-44, 28% were aged 45-59, and 15% were aged 60 and over.

*  Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) was the most popular therapeutic intervention, with 74% of those who set a quit date having used this therapy.

*  At the four week follow-up, 12,475 reported that they had successfully quit, three-fifths (59%) of those setting a quit date.

* The four-week success rate was 61% for males and 57% for females. Success at four weeks increased with age, from 41% for those aged 11 to 17, to 65% for those aged 60 and over.

*  At the four-week follow-up, a quarter of clients reported that they had not successfully quit. Of these, 59% had reduced their smoking intake and a further 33% indicated that they intend to rejoin the smoking cessation programme.

*  Of the 289 young people (aged 11 to 17) who set a quit date, 41% reported to have successfully quit at the four-week follow-up, 40% indicated that they were still smoking, and 19% could not be contacted for the follow-up.

*  Of the 6,824 adults (aged 18 and above) in the 20% most deprived areas, three-fifths (58%) reported they had successfully quit at the four-week follow-up.

*  Of the 1,270 women who were recorded as being pregnant, 57% reported to have successfully quit at the four-week follow-up, 28% had not quit, and 14% were not able to be contacted.

This publication is available online at:

www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/tobacco-statistics

Quit now, before it is too late!