By
Juliet Rofe
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New research from Cancer Council NSW’s Tackling Tobacco program shows promising early signs that their intervention is helping community managed mental health organisation (CMO) staff offer more quit smoking support, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), to their (patients).
Nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, helps smokers and people dependent on nicotine ease withdrawals while quitting. NRT products include patches, gum, mouth spray, inhalators and lozenges. NRT is typically used for 8-12 weeks for best results.
The Tackling Tobacco program aims to reduce tobacco-related disparities in priority populations across NSW. Tackling Tobacco works with organisations and individuals, giving them the tools and support they need to tackle smoking using proven strategies. Through this program, organisations can get the help they need to address tobacco use and support their staff and the people they serve to quit for good.
In a recent trial with community mental health services, the Tackling Tobacco program increased staff offers of NRT and boosted NRT use among participants with severe mental illness (ages 16 years and older). The program included a financial grant, in-person and online training, and proactive monthly support to help staff implement NRT.
“The success of the Tackling Tobacco program shows that with the right resources and support, [CMOs] are in a great position to help people quit smoking,” shares Dr Laura Twyman, Program Lead for Tobacco Cessation at Cancer Council NSW. “Their long-term, trusted relationships with clients allow them to address smoking alongside other needs and connect clients with clinical support when needed.”
Program beneficiaries shared several benefits of quitting, such as saving more money, sleeping better, and feeling less stressed. “I could say I probably wouldn’t have quit without the support from family and my [community mental health organisation],” says one male participant who quit smoking, aged 26-35.
Quitting smoking also reduces the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and improves self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms, mood and quality of life.
“In Australia, every hour, someone with mental illness dies from a preventable cancer. Cancer causes 40% of all deaths of people aged 74 years and younger living with mental illness. This program can dramatically reduce premature deaths from cancer and cardiovascular disease and improve the quality of life of people living with mental illness” Commented Professor Russell Roberts, National Director of Equally Well.
“We saw a big increase in both the offers and use of NRT, even though participant motivation to quit was not required for eligibility,” says Dr Twyman, “Thus, regardless of motivation levels, people living with severe mental illness are open to offers of quit support.”
People living with mental illness should be offered support with smoking cessation and access to services in environments that support quitting, for the sake of improving both physical and mental health.
“Tackling Tobacco’s organisational change initiative shows the necessary role that [CMOs] play in providing supportive environments for participants to get quit smoking support” Concluded Dr Twyman.
If you need to talk about cancer, call Cancer Council on 13 11 20
If you would like to learn more about implementing Tackling Tobacco in your organisation, contact tacklingtobacco@nswcc.org.au or 02 9334 1911