New guidelines for stop smoking services

NICE and Public Health England have published updated guidelines for health practitioners and stop smoking services on the best ways to help people quit smoking.

NHS figures show that approximately 474,000 NHS hospital admissions in England were linked to smoking-related conditions in 2015/16, with 16 per cent of all deaths in 2015 also due to smoking.

The guidance recommends prioritising specific groups who are at the highest risk of harm from smoking, such as women who are pregnant and people with mental health problems, and advises that people are encouraged to stop every time they see a health or social care worker.

It was noted that people who smoke often ask healthcare professionals about using e-cigarettes, and therefore recommends that people should be advised on their use.

Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive at NICE, said: "Smoking is the main cause of preventable illness and death in England. It is imperative that we give people the support and advice they need to quit. Many people use e-cigarettes to help them stop smoking. The committee considered it likely that they are substantially less harmful than smoking.

"As a relatively new product, the long-term impact of their short-term use as well as the long-term health impact of their long-term use is still developing. The committee was concerned that people who smoke should not be discouraged from switching to e-cigarettes because the evidence is still developing. Our guidance therefore recommends that healthcare professionals help people make informed decisions on their use."