The Quit Your Way team is offering training to support staff within NHS Lanarkshire, HSCP and third-sector organisations who wish to increase their awareness of vaping and e-cigarette issues.
This training recognises pressures resulting from the use of E-cigarettes and vapes on professionals who support people within Health and Social Care Partnership as well as the third sector in Lanarkshire.
The team kicked off their first training session on Friday 21 July, which was a great success. It consisted of attendees from the Police, Landed, SALUS, Bernardos, Health Improvement, and their own tobacco control team.
The session:
- provided up-to-date knowledge around e-cigarettes or vapes;
- introduced preventative ways and how attendees could assist those they support around issues of e-cigarettes or vapes;
- ensured they knew where and how to signpost those supported for help and advice with quitting smoking, vaping and reasons not to start vaping.
There are still spaces left for the following training sessions:
- 2nd August 2023 – 15 places available, 10.30am -12.30pm at Blantyre LIFE, 90 Park Lane, Blantyre, G72 9AS
- 27th September, online – 4 places available
To book your space or to ask for more information, please complete the training request form here and email to: tobaccofreecharter@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Tracy-Ann Kidd, Health Improvement Senior – Workforce Development, who took the training session, said: “It was great to see so many organisations come together to learn about the most up-to-date knowledge of vaping, and to support promoting a consistent message throughout Lanarkshire to help tackle this ongoing issue.
“Our team focus on supporting a smoke-free generation and look at preventative ways for young people in regards to smoking and vaping, all staff and 3rd sector partners are able to signpost anyone in need of advice and support to Quit Your Way.”
Participant feedback from the day included:
“Really informative session – will definitely be able to use the information out in our community.”
“Excellent content. Excellent trainers, very informative. Lots of interaction which can be difficult, so well done on a great delivery.”
“Great training and very informative. Will pass on and encourage the rest of my team to attend.”
Clare McCool, Alcohol Harms & Other Substances – Team Leader, Quit Your Way, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The harms of vaping are still very much unknown, however evidence shows that it is not risk free and we don’t know much about the long term effects.
“Our awareness training is designed to support colleagues in NHS Lanarkshire, Health and Social Care Partnership and 3rd sector organisations to have the most up-to-date knowledge of vaping and be able to help those who they support with any vaping issues.
“I would encourage all staff who can attend the training to come along and learn more about the information we have available to support them.”
To book your space or to ask for more information, please complete the training request form here and email to: tobaccofreecharter@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
The Quit Your Way team is also looking to develop a campaign to discourage young people in high school from trying/starting vaping, and to encourage those who do vape to consider stopping.
We’re looking to hear from young people aged 11-18 to tell us what strapline they think will best suit this awareness campaign.
Please share this survey with the relevant audience if possible.
It’s completely anonymous, and all feedback will help shape vaping awareness in Lanarkshire
Survey closes Friday 4 August.
