Highland smokers urged to kick the habit

Stopping smoking is the most important thing a smoker can do to improve their health and next week’s NHS Highland’s Who We Are Twitter account will be giving followers an insight into the work of a Smoking Cessation Advisor and what help is out there for those who want to quit.

Eve MacLennan has been a Health Improvement Adviser for Easter Ross for the past four years. Based in Dingwall she covers a wide area that goes from Tain to Drumnadrochit and is supporting around 200 people just now who are trying to quit.

As a Health Improvement Adviser the main part of Eve’s job is to help people stop smoking, but this can include a wide range of other aspects including healthy weight, stress relief, alcohol, diet and exercise.

She said: “It’s pretty obvious why my role is important – smoking isn’t good for your health! Everyone knows stopping smoking will improve health, but there are other advantages to stopping smoking too, including increase levels of confidence and self efficacy, more money in your pocket – or to spend on other things!

“One of the most obvious is more money in your pocket to spend on other things which is the theme of this year’s No Smoking Day, ‘Swap fags for swag’.

“Smoking is becoming less socially acceptable now but it’s not just that. You’ll have a better quality of life, there will be less likelihood of your children starting to smoke and you will smell and look better.

“In addition, there are lots of other small things we can do to improve our health, such as eat well, move more, have less stress – including financial stress, and if I can’t help with those I can pass onto someone who can.”

Eve explains followers of her week on Twitter will get an insight into how busy and varied her week can be, especially in the run up to Wednesday’s No Smoking Day.

She said: “I’ve a number of clinics next week including evening clinics for those who work full time. I see all sorts of people, young and old, pregnant ladies, people effected by smoking and others who want to stop before that happens. I get to meet lots of interesting people in my role and not only hear their stories but learn from them too.

“I also keep in touch with lots of people over the phone so do lots of phone calls each week to see how everything is going to make sure people know they are supported.

“The week of No Smoking Day is always a busy week of the year, catching up with all the people who decide to use the national event to make a change. There will be a lot of events taking place on the day including a stand in ward 10 at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and at Pulteneytown Peoples Project in Wick.”

Eve explains that she makes it clear to all those accessing her clinics that they are not alone in their bid to giving up smoking but the part she finds most challenging is getting people to give up those last few cigarettes.

She said: “Helping people get off the last three cigarettes can be challenging, often these stubborn ones are the most reluctant to leave! However, I know that however challenging I find it, the person who is trying to stop smoking finds it much more challenging.

“Starting off with one of our programmes such as Smoke Free Home or Smoke Free Car is the perfect start as making that commitment to not smoke in the home or car can be your first step to helping you quit completely.

“It is also important to recognise that people will stop smoking in different ways and for different reasons - own health, financial, family health, having children or they are just get fed up smoking. People should have the choice to stop smoking in whichever way suits them - this will be different for different people. The NHS Smoking Cessation Service is just one of the ways, is free and confidential, and is evidence based.”

www.twitter.com/NHSHWhoWeAreYou can keep up with Eve and her week on Twitter at

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