Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
ON THE WARDS of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin last winter, I was asked to review a nine-month-old boy admitted for the fourth time with a respiratory illness. The child’s mother was a regular smoker.
I explained that children exposed to tobacco smoke are at a higher risk of recurrent respiratory illnesses and asked her had she ever tried to quit.
She was aware that smoking around her baby boy was not good for the child’s lungs and told me that she had tried to get off cigarettes on a number of occasions using various methods with little success. What more could she do?
It’s rarely straightforward
Most people who have tried to quit smoking know it is rarely straightforward. A few weeks into 2018 as the best New Year resolutions are being tested my best advice is to find your local quit service through the quit.ie or speak to your general practitioner.
Although smoking rates in Ireland are declining, almost 1 in 5 Irish adults still smoke on a regular basis and smoking-related deaths remain the leading cause of avoidable deaths in this country.
Last year, HIQA published their assessment on best available smoking cessation treatments. This comprehensive document based its recommendations on evidence-based medicine and gives us some guidance on which smoking cessation interventions work best.
Pharmalogical methods
Although all forms of cessation treatments examined were an effective method for quitting compared to doing nothing all, the most effective method was a combination of nicotine replacement therapy (in the form of gums, patches and sprays) and the prescription only medication – Varenicline (trade name Champix).
This medication works as a nicotine receptor partial agonist and helps reduce a smoker’s enjoyment of cigarette smoking in addition to decreasing the withdrawal symptoms.
Using this combination, you are more than three and half times more likely to quit smoking when compared to those who quit without this combination. Of course, these treatments are not suitable for everyone and before starting on any medication, it is important that people consult with their general practitioner.
In addition to pharmacological methods, behavioural interventions such as individual counselling and telephone support were found to aid quitting.
These methods of smoking cessation are particularly pertinent for certain groups such as pregnant mothers for whom medications, such as Varenicline, are not recommended.
Use of e-cigarettes still unsupported
Over one third of Irish adults turn to e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) when trying to quit smoking. However, the HIQA report found only two trials of sufficient quality on which to base their conclusions on. High quality data supporting the use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation device is lacking.
This is an evolving area of research and we are awaiting the outcome of further trials before we can cast judgment on the role of e-cigarettes in helping people quit smoking.
Evidence suggests that smoking e-cigarettes is less harmful than tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals at least 70 of which are known to be carcinogenic.
The levels of chemicals found in e-cigarettes are much lower than that of tobacco cigarettes but we don’t have any data on the long-term health consequences of smoking e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes aren’t good for you but the argument that enabling people to switch from tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes resulting in harm reduction to their health is a strong one. Internationally, conflicting advice is coming from different public health bodies on the subject on whether or not e-cigarettes should be recommended as a smoking cessation tool.
Association doesn’t prove causation
The Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) in the UK supports their use while the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued more cautious guidelines on their benefits in helping people quit tobacco.
Further concerns surround e-cigarettes include last month’s study from the US demonstrating a worrying association between e-cigarette use among youths and subsequent tobacco smoking. They found that adolescents using e-cigarettes were at a greater risk for future tobacco smoking when compared with those not using e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes are promoted to the public with many different flavours available making them appealing to the youth market. Association does not prove causation and these aspects have yet to be teased out fully.
Then there is the role of the big tobacco corporations, who are pouring millions into the e-cigarette industry with the promise of developing safer vapour and non-combustible products down the line. I find it difficult to trust the industry that once told us “smoking was good for us”.
We don’t have all the answers yet. More research is needed in this area before we can confidently tell the public what are the best methods for quitting smoking. For the moment, the HIQA guideline provides us with the most up-to-date research in this area.
Never give up trying to give up
In regard to the mother I met on the wards; her smoking was not directly the cause of her child’s respiratory issues but she was fanning the flames and exacerbating his symptoms. Smoking around children is not good for their developing lungs and greater awareness and education for parents is needed in this area.
Many smokers go through numerous quit attempts before they successfully give up. The important thing to tell smokers is to never give up trying to quit smoking.
If you are thinking of quitting smoking this January, find your local quit service through the quit.ie website or speak to your general practitioner.
Dr Des Cox is a Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and Chair of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland’s Policy Group on Tobacco.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Well I’m expecting the appointment of young energetic TD’s full of new ideas. Oh wait a moment we are talking about FG…….
@Fergus Moroney: Fergus Moron I take it you a Blue shirt name calling bully.
@Fergus Moroney: That’s nice Fergus anything to say?
@Kerry Blake: * intelligent to say?
@Horses for courses: He’s a Blueshirt alright, has posts on his FB eulogising the outgoing dimwit Edna. Probably paid his water charges too, ha ha!
@Kerry Blake: Go easy on the kid Kerry. Probably stressed with exams going on. No excuse for name calling though…
@Kerry Blake: couldn’t agree more
@Kerry Blake: FG politicians can’t take criticism either, or anything that resembles common sense. I am blocked from most of their twitter accounts, for highlighting issues in a civilized manner and offering constructive criticism or questioning a decision.
@Siouxsie Dumbtime: thenameis enda, he’s been in politics longer than you’ve been alive but you cant spell his name, shows your intellect
@Seán O’Sullivan: the name is Enda. Notice the spaces between words and the capitol E Seán maybe you should go back to junior infants?
@Seán O’Sullivan: Two pieces of advice Seánín, 1) cut down on the creatine, it’s terrible for the mood swings and 2) *the *name *is *Enda *can’t, shows your intellect.
@Kerry Blake: Give me FG any day over the other ‘populist push-over’ policies of SF and FF. I bet you support one of the ‘money tree freebies-for-all parties’.
And Leo liked it so he put a Ring in it
Leo ran out of health as fast as he could leaving 660,000 citizens in agony on waiting lists. Today’s and yesterdays Liveline heartbreaking example. Why did FG get away with their 2011 health promises lies? FG’s comptempt for the most ill & poorest citizens continues if Harris still get paid for growing agony lists
@abcyz: Where is the media’s scrutiny of their health policies or more to the point their 2011 universal health plan that Leo (s when he was 5MINS as health minister, you know a job he always wanted) shamelessly admitted FG not doing anything to improve health and ditched policy?
What about media holding FG 5 point plan to account.?
@abcyz: they didn’t have a universal health plan. Look it up.
@lavbeer: They abandoned it shamelessly like Simon abandoned the homeless and housing needing citizens just now after saying he committed to ending homelessness by July the utter cute hoor
@abcyz: Abandoned what? The universal health plan or the universal health insurance plan. Neither gold which you obviously have a clue about.
@abcyz: you really are deluded
@lavbeer: Housing, health reform etc. Lie after FG lie but comfortable middle class FG voters let them em off with their manifesto lies. WTF WTF is wrong with FG voters
@abcyz: I guess your one of these NIMBY FF deluded voters yeah?
@abcyz: I don’t vote FG. More generalisations from you. So health you don’t know what LV pulled. Obviously you were getting your health insurance paid for you.
Housing and social tenants buying houses for a write down under Bertie. Did you agree with that?
@abcyz: btw in a country so ridden by austerity why are there not more left wing voters to remove FF and FG?
@abcyz: who would you have as minister for heart?
@Michael Fitzgibbon: Can u find a non stone heart or any compassion from so called pro lifers FG
@lavbeer: It is coming. Slowly but surely. Their combined share of the vote is in steady decline.
After what happened in the UK GE, the coalition of FG/FF will be less inclined to test the will of the people. There’s no support or mandate for FG’s minority government.
@Dave Doyle: you might be right Dave. The UK was a brexit vote. But no matter who is in power we owe 9bn a year interest. Social welfare of over 20. Bills still have to be paid
I vote independent and am enjoying this Dail as they can’t guillotine
@abcyz: They took Simon out of his role as housing minister as his project is about to hit a brick wall.
To be fair to Simon I know of 3 families who have been housed because of his project! I’m not saying he’s great but at least he comes across as a fella who has compassion. My real issues are the retaining of Fitzgerald, Zappone and Harris!
@Fionn Bohane: the same Harris who got the children hospital over line and sorted the expensive drug for CF whilst having 1.6 million medical cards?
You mean the one he tried giving to nuns? If you honestly believe Harris organised the cf drug you’re delusional, lobbyists and backroom staff do all the work amd pull all the strings in that aspect he’s just a face. He’s a shite health minister , who has no real life experience or as it seems compassion for those who need medical help the most. He may prosper in a different position but I reckon him being minister for health is a bad thing for Ireland as a whole. if you’re happy with the health system in Ireland and the way Harris goes about his business then fair enough but not in a million years will you convince me he’s doing a good job!!
Cronyism is as cronyism does
Leo was in the closet till Jan 2015 but was out and proud right winger possibly since he joined 2016
@abcyz: since he joined FG 20 years ago
Coveney abandoning the homeless is FG contempt of the highest order.
@abcyz: you seem obsessed.
Reading one of your comments is probably the same as reading all of them. Good to know for the future.
@Cicero: I have varied views on everything the same as anybody else but won’t let FG off unlike all the licks here who support them even after their manifesto lies
@abcyz: I don’t mind variety in views – it’s the repetition on this article that I was curious about.
@Cicero: U need to hold politicians to account if media and well off citizens won’t
@abcyz: as in elections right?
Frances Fitzgerald did an awful job in justice yet is still tanaiste and a minister. The weasel Harris keeps his job in health even after trying to give nuns a maternity hospital. Absolute joke and shows the new Taoiseach is as spineless as the one he is replacing
“Not another red cent”- Leo’s first lie of many since 2011
@Eamonn Sheen: Harris came through on the maternity hospital
One hospital does not fix a health system
@Eamonn Sheen: l have a theory that homosexuals lack courage…..
Good luck to all x
Coveney what about your promise to end homelessness confined to hotels by July.
What a cute hoor you and Leo proved yourselves faking your comittment to your departments but as u failed you just get paid to move around ministerial musical chairs.
FG family hubs are no better than segregating poor families are no better than mother and baby homes without the nuns and it and HAPs are just shorterm jokes and welfare for ye and your landlord and vulture funds friends but hey Tory Boy Leo gets want he wants while hundreds of thousands at their mercy.
FF u better do something for the disabled & all homeless and social welfare needy now or you be 5% like the Labour’s liers remain since the election.
@abcyz: I’m not coveney.
@abcyz: it’s not July yet but no doubt you will be expecting four bed semi D free in the area if your choice
@abcyz: What a load of rubbish you spew out.
@Free comment ratings: you are now
@lavbeer: Homeless are lucky to get a dead rat pillow from so called pro lifers
@abcyz: Micheal Martin skewered Coveney for scurrying away from Housing into cushy number in Foreign Affairs. Coveney was squirming.
@Dolly White: FF should demand early budget with justice for social welfare and proper council housing now or just pull plug now
@abcyz: who should be paying for these welfare increases you seem to want and how much we talking here?
@abcyz: whatever – the politics of no and whinge are easy.
Ring ordered a West Coast SAR heli stood down off duty to collect some civvie pals from a island back when FG were in power in 1990s. So no Search & Rescue cover was available until the taxpayer funded jaunt was over.
Leo has been practicing that wave and pose in the pic since he played himself in Harry Enfield in the early to late 90s when he played himself of Tory Boy
@abcyz: Did that chap from Tallaght who ran off to europe not want to be the working class tory .
Hey chemical brothers, any update on your attempt to bring things to a head or has it all been brushed under the carpet again?
Here’s what I know so far, all Irish people are equal but some are more equal than others. A bit like the Hindu “Caste” system.
We have the upside down Irish caste system where the low lives are at the top..
@SteveW:
Comment of the day Steve.
@Frank Cauldhame: I would have said uneducated comment to be honest….
@Kerry Blake: Why? I thought Steve’s comment was funny tbh.
@Frank Cauldhame: His might have been yours just shows a lack of education…..
@Kerry Blake: You don’t like the veracity of my analogy? Jeez….
@SteveW: You know what they say… shit floats.
Mary Mitchell O’Connor being made a super junior minister at higher Education is a joke.She should be let nowhere near education despite being a former principal.I was in the Dail. The night she openly supported the cuts to guidance counsellors.This lady saw little or no reason for the job.Despite counselling being a big part of the job career planning taking in Higher education for young people is also a key role.So Leo gives her a job to promote higher education yet this lady openly supported getting rid of guidance in schools.She supported getting rid of the very people who help students plan a route to higher education. It’s a sad night for young people and education.And it’s not a great start for Leo
Gerry Malone Dundalk
I can’t believe she was ever made Minister for Enterprise in the first place either….
@Live at Oriel: talking about voodoo l met an African practioner (hello) and she told me to place a mirror in a north facing window and one in a south facing window, she said the Druids will run a mile from your house, goodotoole, l believe.
@Live at Oriel: hell knows no fury like a peroxide blond scorned particularly shoulder length peroxide blond…..watch this space
“Leo Varadkar prepares to name his Cabinet – here’s what we know so far” . . . that each will have no record of achievement in a political position, that they’ll each be fond of making promises which they have neither the ability nor the integrity to keep & by the time Coveney takes over, not a thing will have changed, except maybe for those most in need, for whom it will only get worse under the Fine Gael / Fianna Fail corruption coalition.
@The Unknown Souldier: you expecting a call?
@lavbeer: Well being as you asked, i am yeah, from your Ma. I’m going to take her out for a nice seafood dinner and never call her again.
@The Unknown Souldier: Sounds like a good deal to me. Great to see there are some gentlemen around.
Bad start for Leo. Inefficient incompetent behaviour – primarily the fault of that human abomination Regina Doherty
@John Ryan: she got promoted so took her eye off the ball ⚾️
A really imaginative cabinet (not). All the old guard still there (except Noonan) and he left voluntarily as he is almost as old as time itself. Terrible start.
@John Ryan: Appalling start John. Leo talked about change and leadership and reappoints all of Enda’s favourites….
Sad for this country to be honest.
Charlie Flanagan will find Justice overwhelming.
@Tony Daly: Cha finds everything overwhelming………so why is he still in cabinet
@Tony Daly: Frances like Simon and Leo all rewarded for utter failures. Justice, housing and hospital waiting lists are in absolute disaster but FG reward all these failures and then have the nerve to demonise the poorest citizens by creating a false suspicion that their is fraud even though Joan Burton’s dictator style identity cards and face recognition cameras in place.
No matter how things are reshuffled nothing will change….
The suspense is killing me
Not
Coveney abandoning the homeless is FG contempt of the highest order. Less time and results than Leo’s disasterious time as health minister. FG have no morals
@abcyz: FG keep rewarding failure and have the cheek to demonise the poorest citizens and welfare and needing healthcare and housing and basic humanity from so called pro lifers
@abcyz: you are a prize tool.
General election by September. Odds?
“Here’s what we know” . . . The problem is, ‘Stupid’ is a subject studied widely in schools and universities. Every year that goes by, people are graduating in ‘Stupid’ and we are all going to hell in a handcart because we keep voting for Stupid careerist politicans – not people with leadership, vision or experience..
At least we have new minster for Justice….The role never suited Francis Fitzgerald at all….
@Martin Critten: to be fair it’s difficult to choose.
FF/FG are basically the same, FF prob worse. If it wasn’t for all the corruption with brown envelopes and backwards thinking on social issues I would be happy with them.
SF- good on social issues, poor on economics. Are pushing united ireland too soon which may prolong it, need a nationalist majority before that’s even a possibility.
Ideally a good Labour Party would work, but we seen what happened our own.
Any party that cracks down on Garda corruption, Mr. DOB etc
Stop tax evasion/avoidance, raise capital gains, special tax that businesses and individuals pay same tax on rental income- stopping vultures
Nobody pays more than 50% in tax.
Reform legal system, stop that insurance/law gravy train.
If only..
Martin like all the looney left and the only non stupid person in the country why are you not running the country ??
@Declan Gartlan: It was the rabid treasonous right that destroyed the economy and society in the country.
Three female ministers, I have no faith in any of them, who actually lost out has anyone noticed, I cannot remember who they all were this morning.
@Catherine Mc:
* five females
He should bin Harris.
The same bunch of cronies being put into jobs they no little about. I’m now very worried about our country. God help us all under this gang of hyper blue shirts.
What about Department of Defence?
@Brian Lilly:
@Brian Lilly: don’t need one
@Brian Lilly: I think Enda Kenny took over the portfolio a while back. Can’t remember why. Maybe Leo is holding on to the department too?
@Darren Doyle McCormack: yes, seems Leo is officially Minister for Defence, but Paul Kehoe Super junior as before.
@Noel: Probably so, although with recent terror events…
Had to actually google who Eoghan Murphy was as hadn’t a notion! Is that bad!!!!!!
@Veroníca Maguire: just link it in with Cillian Scott
@Veroníca Maguire: wasn’t he Leo’s campaign manager?? Has to be given bacon as a reward
The new Taoiseach will be the only Indian amongst a bunch of cowboys..
More of the same
Weak already.
No big change… The Dail chorale are in
full swing…. ALL ‘singing’ from the same ‘hymn sheet’…. their close ‘harmony’ is almost deafening… same old song…
@Sean Callan: Let’s all chant
Charlie you were great at foreign affairs, aim to do the same in justice and do us all a favour for a proper turnaround
@gregory murphy: Best joke yet!!
We really are in the gutter when that stuttering fool Paschal and that idiot Regina can be let loose on public decision making.
@John Dman: he is loyal in his support for Varadker and Varadker great appreciates that loyal support.
I’m sure that Lowry will arrange a private tete a tete between Dobby and Varadker.
Ireland needs a proper leader like V. V. Putin, not that Clown Varkadar
Frances Fitzgerald should not be a minister very poor in justice
Housing, Health and Justice are the hot potatoes
The Bland leading the Bland
Coveney in the driving seat for Brexit is an excellent choice. He is well suited to that task especially as agriculture is his forte. I’m not sure why minister Naughten wasn’t changed. Our country is facing a massive shortfall in meeting RE targets he’s not provided any leadership on this to date. Ringer will add a bit of colour at least in his new role. Minister for finance too a good choice I think. Noonan brought a great deal of gravitas to that position but the new lad has shown great control over the past few years.
Great news that Michael Noonan is finally gone from the Department of Finance!! The news that Paschal Donahoe will be the new Minister for Finance is very good, because Mr Donohoe seems to have an understanding of the business cycle!
So the junior minister for westport (known in his department as ‘the mouth of the moy’) gets a senior job?
And that’s Leo’s idea of progress? God help us!
Awful pity he left Harris in charge of Health, he should booted him out of the cabinet altogether.
And I’d say he did Coveney no favours giving him the Brexit negotiations. That’s gonna be a poisened chalice
What was the big delay about bad start for Leo new Taoiseach?
SSDD: Same shite, different day…
Sure they are all the same, nothing changes no matter what the party. The only objective being met is ‘Look after number One’ the general public is well down the pecking order, for there to be ever change, your going to have to see Dustin, Zig and Zag on the ballot paper. Only then can you expect change, otherwise head to specsavers, it must be a mis-print.
No surprises..I would like to know how much it will cost to finance the dept that was split…Millions…Hard to say now..but it will cost millions by the time this vulture squad get sorted.General election around the corner for sure.
The sooner this shit is gone the better.
@Brendan Keegan: judging his performance after 6 hours would seem hasty so I am presuming you are sharing a personal moment with the group.
Best of luck with it – I have huge confidence in you but if it’s still a problem in the morning get yourself to a doctor
Same ol sameo, ross zappone and harris nothing will improve much
Whoever takes care of the vulnerable please do a better job. It’s our measure as a civilised society how we look after those who are without protection from the greedy.
The carers do an unquestionable about of state work without consideration for their own health and well being. Reducing the budget to rest bite was the lowest thing a government could have done, please reverse.
Make your education ministry concern themselves with the well-fair of young minds and not feel the whole responsibility to act as a bailiff for the redress board. Taking playing field from schools is short sighted and greedy, demonstrating despite adequate planning law how the developer elite and religious orders how total contempt for the Irish law. Please remember a cod rots from the head.
Leo should have gotten rid of Simon Harris from Health, but appointing Eoghan Murphy as the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is a good appointment because, as a relatively young man, Mr Murphy can understand the issues facing young people as they try to get onto the housing ladder in modern Ireland.
All in all, appointing two smart young men, in the form of Paschal Donohoe and Eoghan Murphy, to lead the key departments of Finance and Housing respectively, is reassuring and exciting.
Neither this Government nor Varadkar have a mandate from the Irish people to govern. They need to go to the people now!
Waiting for 8pm news lol
Did boxer Moran get the chop
Its the Muppet show. God help us all.
What exactly does a minister for culture mean??
@marg fitzgerald: talking about voodoo l met an African practioner (hello) and she told me to place a mirror in a north facing window and one in a south facing window, she said the Druids will run a mile from your house, goodotoole, l believe.
Like the tie
SAME OLD THUGS.
Some idiots posting some sh-te . Don’t know nothing anything about politics the problem with Health to many people fat people don’t excise eat bad food
Confucius: he say, Man with hole in pocket, feel cocky all day
Now that Leo is top man, can we expect an Indian summer?
Thrilled for the workhouse Mr Michael a ring..
Wonder who Leo thinks wins between Mayweather & mcgregor
Eh … now can we get on with it?
have your say