Letterkenny University Hospital marks World No Tobacco Day

All Tobacco Products have Filters, they are called Lungs
On Friday 31 May, to mark the WHO World No Tobacco Day, Letterkenny University Hospital will hold an information session on quitting smoking and the benefits of quitting from 10am to 2pm.

Elaine Robinson, Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Smoking Cessation Service at the hospital explains, “The World Health Organisation’s focus for World No Tobacco Day 2019 is tobacco and lung health. The effects on the lung can be acute and chronic including respiratory infections (pneumonia, chest infections), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema, bronchitis), asthma and lung cancers.

“All tobacco products have filters, they are called lungs. If you smoke you inhale 7,500 chemicals, in through your lungs and into your bloodstream, affecting every part of the body. The clear message to those who currently smoke is to QUIT.

“Letterkenny University Hospital is committed to reducing the toll from tobacco smoking by treating the use of tobacco as a healthcare issue. Quitting smoking is the most cost effective treatment in reducing risk of death and disability and improving medical and surgical treatment results. Unfortunately, if a person continues to smoke (even one to four cigarettes per day) or are exposed to others smoking, the medical and surgical treatments cannot achieve the desired results.

“If you are visiting the hospital or being admitted for treatment, please leave your tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes at home. The hospital is a tobacco free site and we want to support patients who are trying to quit by removing two of the highest relapse triggers – smelling fresh tobacco and seeing other people smoking.

“I will be available at the hospital on Friday 31 May from 10am to 2pm to provide advice and support to anyone who would like to quit. In Donegal we have 14 free smoking cessation clinics throughout the county. For anyone who is unable to attend the information session, please call 074 9123678 and leave a short message with your contact details or visit www.quit.ie. It could be your start to a healthier, happier and wealthier life.”

Photo Caption:
Elaine Robinson, Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Smoking Cessation Service at Letterkenny University Hospital will be holding a QUIT smoking information day in the hospital on Friday 31 May from 10am to 2pm.