Advisor newsletter March 2010

Youth programme

You may be interested to know that Kick It is currently piloting a youth programme. Toby Fairs-Billam, Smoking Prevention Manager, has been working with 3 local secondary schools in North Fulham to try out methods of engagement with young people. The programme will focus on education and advocacy with the option of stop smoking advice to those that need it. We intend to evaluate the first stage in the coming months after which the programme will be rolled out to all schools in Hammersmith & Fulham along with youth clubs and other youth settings. For more information contact Toby at toby.fairs-billam@kick-it.org.uk

Busy times!

As usual, the stop smoking service is having a busy start to the new year, as smokers use opportunities such as the new year and No Smoking Day to make a quit attempt. A big thank you to all advisors and outreach staff for working so hard. The following settings have been particularly busy so far in 2010:

  • Boots Westfield (52 new quits date set)
  • Bush Doctors (35 new quit dates set)
  • Cassidy Road Medical Centre (32 new quit dates set)
  • Richford Gate Medical Centre (27 new quit dates set)
  • Boots King Street (23 new quit dates set)
  • Boots Fulham Broadway (22 new quit dates set)

….not to mention many others following closely behind! The focus now is on following clients up to make sure as many as possible quit – we have great referral numbers in Hammersmith & Fulham now but our success rates are still below the national average.

H&F News 4 page special

Some of you may have seen the latest edition of H&F News. Kick It has the 4 outer pages with an extended feature on stopping smoking, offering 100 readers a “special offer” of a quit pack and free motivational text messages if they sign up to the service. H&F News goes out to every household in the Borough so should get the service some good promotion.

Link up with local workplaces!

Have you thought about promoting your stop smoking clinic to neighbouring workplaces? This could be a good source of referrals. If you would like any help in developing promotional materials to use for this purpose or a letter of recommendation please contact tim.roberts@kick-it.org.uk

….and finally

Did you know…..between 80,000 and 100,000 children worldwide start smoking every day – roughly half of whom live in Asia. Evidence shows that around 50% of those who start smoking in adolescent years go on to smoke for at least 15 years (World Health Organisation).