Promoting smoking cessation in the paediatric respiratory clinic.

UNLABELLED: Exposure to tobacco smoke is harmful to children and young people (CYP). There is, to our knowledge, no published evidence quantifying the success of smoking cessation interventions targeted at both CYP and their parents or guardians in paediatric respiratory clinics. We offered 102 participants smoking cessation advice, using motivational interviewing and exhaled carbon monoxide measurements to help them quit smoking. In total, 16 of 102 participants quit smoking, with 4 lost to follow-up. A further 40 participants cut down on how much they smoked.

CONCLUSION

Formal screening questions on smoking and the provision of smoking cessation advice should form a regular part of all respiratory clinics where CYP and their parents are seen. Simple smoking cessation interventions can lead to reduced smoking in this population.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • Tobacco smoking is strongly associated with significant morbidity and mortality. • Adolescents with chronic respiratory diseases may themselves smoke, or may have parents who do so.

WHAT IS NEW: • Smoking cessation interventions are well received in paediatric respiratory clinic by patients and their families. • Simple smoking cessation interventions can help young people and their parents to stop smoking or cut down on smoking.