Smoking Cessation Project

In order to achieve a smoking prevalence of 5%, Welsh Government has set a series of targets for smoking cessation, including: for 5% of current smokers should access smoking cessation services and set a quit date annually, and for 40% for four-week quits to be CO validated. While smoking cessation services in Cardiff & Vale currently meet the latter target, services consistently fail to meet the former target. As such, in addition to ‘Help Me Quit’ smoking cessation services, Cardiff & Vale UHB is seeking to enhance its offer to reach more smokers, improve choice for smokers to help them access services which meet their needs, and increase quit numbers in pursuit of achieving national targets. It is therefore proposed to introduce a novel approach of using cognitive behaviour therapy (no NRT, pharmacotherapy) to help smokers quit. This approach will complement the existing ‘Help Me Quit’ offer which offers advice, support and medication to help smokers quit. It is intended that this novel approach and tailored marketing, advertising and recruitment techniques, will attract a different ‘smoker’ audience towards smoking cessation services in Cardiff & Vale with a focus on deprivation. Delivery of on-line and/or in-person group seminars for a specified number of attendees, led by expert cognitive behavioural therapists. These seminars may last for around 5-6 hours, delivered perhaps in groups of up to 25 smokers. Attendees follow the presentation and speak with the presenter and other attendees throughout the session. At the end of the seminars, participants should leave as non-smokers.