Going smokefree
Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has a commitment to improving health and improving lives.
As part of our commitment to protecting the lives of everyone who uses, works within or visits our services, smoking is not permitted in any of our buildings, grounds, vehicles or car parks. If you are a service user, carer or visitor we ask that you do not bring any tobacco products, lighters or e-cigarettes on to any of our premises.
We do have designated smoking areas for service users, carers and visitors, however if you want to stop smoking, or just cut down help is available!
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) together with the University of Bath and the University of York have produced five inspiring new videos showing the journey of smokers with mental health conditions who’ve successfully quit and call on health professionals to do more to help others do the same. Watch Caroline’s journey below and watch the other videos on the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) website.
Benefits of quitting smoking
When you smoke, carbon monoxide (CO) is absorbed in to your lungs and picked up by your red blood cells. It is then carried around the body which results in your blood stream carrying less oxygen.
To make up for this lack of oxygen, your body produces more red blood cells, but this makes your blood thicker and stickier and more likely to block blood vessels. The combined effect of thicker blood, less oxygen and narrow blood vessels means that your heart has to work harder than it should.
Other health risks from smoking can include cancer and other chronic diseases such as heart disease, lung disease or stroke.
What happens when I quit smoking?
There are a number of health benefits and lifestyle improvements associated with quitting smoking including:
- Reduced risk of cancers, heart and lung disease
- Reduced risk of circulatory problems
- Improved fertility levels and chance of a healthy pregnancy and baby
- Improved breathing and quicker recovery time
- Improved taste and smell
- Improved skin and teeth
- Reduced risks from second hand smoke such as children developing bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, meningitis or asthma attacks
- Saving money
- More time to do other things
What support is available for me?
We have a number of ward staff who are trained as Stop Smoking Practitioners. They can support service users through their attempt to quit and provide advice on the most suitable treatment for the individual, reviewing and documenting treatment, supplying e-cigarettes and supporting interventions using carbon monoxide monitoring.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) will continue to be made available to all inpatients and we will also provide disposable e-cigarettes for use in designated outdoor areas. Other types of e-cigarette, including rechargeable alternatives, can’t be used. This is because there are safety concerns surrounding charging devices where used incorrectly.
Community patients and outpatients can access support through One You Leeds. This can be done by self referral or a healthcare professional can help in making the referral.