In 2016, NHS Lanarkshire became one of the first health boards in Scotland to sign Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-Free Generation, which aims to ensure that all children and young people are not exposed to the harmful effects of tobacco by 2034.
NHS Lanarkshire has created a strong tobacco strategy that involves the whole health board in activity to support the six Charter principles. It has been promoting the tobacco-free message throughout Lanarkshire and has been successful in encouraging local community organisations, schools and workplaces to pledge their own actions to help reach the 2034 tobacco-free target.
In August, Boots Brandon Parade, Motherwell – which delivers a smoking cessation service in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire – became the first pharmacy in Lanarkshire to sign up to the Ash Charter.
Lisa O’Neill, Boots accuracy checking technician, said: “We are very proud to be the first pharmacy in Lanarkshire to sign up to the Charter. We are delighted to help support and promote the health and well-being of the people of Motherwell.”
Boots Brandon Parade has increased the level of clients it has helped stop smoking throughout the year through a number of activities. These include promoting its smoking cessation service, attending training, holding a stall in the precinct on ‘No Smoking Day’ and engaging with other businesses. It is also recording clients correctly on its patient care record (PCR) system. By submitting this data accurately, it is contributing successfully to NHS Lanarkshire’s local delivery plan (LDP) target that has been set for its smoking cessation team.
George Lindsay, NHS Lanarkshire’s chief pharmacist, primary care services, added: “It’s a great thing to have done. It demonstrates a commitment to high quality smoking cessation services. This comes through in the data which shows that over 77 patients were supported in an attempt to quit, with over 25 successfully quitting in the last year.”
Local resident Lynne Reeves, who has had a successful quit through the Boots stop smoking programme, said: “Since stopping smoking my lifestyle has changed for the better – I’ve lost a stone, I am taking regular exercise and everyone tells me I look better for it – and my bank account is much healthier too.”
By signing the Charter, Boots is committing to continue the excellent level of care clients receive when entering its store and encouraging those who would like to stop smoking to become healthier tobacco-free role models. It will contribute to the development of a tobacco-free culture that will help make not smoking the natural choice for young people.
