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NHS target 'worst smoking region' NHS target 'worst smoking region'
(about 7 hours later)
Health chiefs in the part of Scotland with the highest smoking rate have launched a new service to help people quit the habit. Health chiefs in the area with the highest smoking rate in Scotland have launched a new service to help people quit the habit.
The smoking rate in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area is about 30% - the highest proportion in the country. About 30% of the population in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area are smokers.
NHS chiefs want to target the estimated 280,000 smokers living within the health board's boundaries.NHS chiefs want to target the estimated 280,000 smokers living within the health board's boundaries.
It has brought together all its stop smoking services in a bid to make it easier for people to get help.It has brought together all its stop smoking services in a bid to make it easier for people to get help.
The new Smokefree services programme will include services to help mums-to-be quit, youth services that aim to prevent children from taking up the habit and community services including support groups and nicotine replacement therapy. The new Smokefree services programme will include services to help mothers-to-be quit, youth services that aim to prevent children from taking up the habit, and community services including support groups and nicotine replacement therapy.
'Top priorities''Top priorities'
Pharmacies will also offer support for smokers as part of the Smokefree pharmacy services, and help is available for hospital patients who smoke.Pharmacies will also offer support for smokers as part of the Smokefree pharmacy services, and help is available for hospital patients who smoke.
Liz Grant, one of the two co-ordinators of Smokefree Services, said the plan was to provide "one single, easy to use source of help for smokers" who want to give up.Liz Grant, one of the two co-ordinators of Smokefree Services, said the plan was to provide "one single, easy to use source of help for smokers" who want to give up.
She added: "By bringing together all services under this new banner of Smokefree Services, we hope that it will be much simpler to access help.She added: "By bringing together all services under this new banner of Smokefree Services, we hope that it will be much simpler to access help.
"It's obviously not easy to give up cigarettes and knowing where to get help is half the battle.""It's obviously not easy to give up cigarettes and knowing where to get help is half the battle."
Smoking rates in the health board area range from 18.6% in East Dunbartonshire to 52% in Barlanark and Easterhouse.Smoking rates in the health board area range from 18.6% in East Dunbartonshire to 52% in Barlanark and Easterhouse.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde director of public health Dr Linda de Caestecker said cutting smoking levels was one of the board's top priorities.NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde director of public health Dr Linda de Caestecker said cutting smoking levels was one of the board's top priorities.
She added: "About 29% of deaths at all ages are attributable to smoking and here in Greater Glasgow and Clyde we have more smokers than the Scottish average.She added: "About 29% of deaths at all ages are attributable to smoking and here in Greater Glasgow and Clyde we have more smokers than the Scottish average.
"It's absolutely vital, therefore, that we make it as easy as possible for people to give up. Smokefree Services is all about making sure that, whoever you are, whatever your age or gender or where you live, you can get all the help you need.""It's absolutely vital, therefore, that we make it as easy as possible for people to give up. Smokefree Services is all about making sure that, whoever you are, whatever your age or gender or where you live, you can get all the help you need."