Miriam Gunning Senior Health Promotion Officer for Tobacco, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
Abstract
Ireland's Health Services have developed a new multi-channel QUIT support service to help smokers to quit
The Health Service Executive provides Ireland's health and social care services, and also works to improve health and wellbeing and protect public health in Ireland. In January 2015, they launched a new QUIT personal support service, providing a team of trained advisors, interactive digital tools, empathy and support, and delivering an evidence based service that makes smokers at least twice as likely to quit for good.
The QUIT team offers evidence-based care through a standard treatment programme, where quitters will be tracked and supported for 12 months to help them quit and stay quit. Support is delivered, over the phone, via Twitter and Facebook, or by email and SMS. The QUIT.ie website has been completely redesigned and updated to match the new QUIT support service. The site is mobile and tablet friendly.
In 2015, a new QUIT Heroes app was added to our Facebook page to encourage people to share their quit story and help other quitters toward success.
All QUIT services are provided free of charge by the HSE.
Source of funding: Totally funded by the Health Service Executive.
Declaration of interest: I have no connection, personal or business with any tobacco industry or pharmaceutical company.
