Kathy Triffitt on a new quit smoking campaign for people with HIV.
www.nomorebutts.org.au
As part of the NSW HIV Positive Health Promotion Interagency(1) Smoking Cessation Project, Positive Life NSW ran discussion groups (one at the Luncheon Club) and also interviewed HIV positive smokers to find out their quit smoking needs (e.g. smoking practices, attempts to quit smoking, awareness of negative health outcomes of smoking, particularly as it impacts upon those with HIV, and support and resources they needed to quit).
When we asked participants ‘what the most important campaign message would be for them?’ many agreed that negative reinforcement campaigns do not work. We found the effectiveness of images on cigarette packets had minimal impact. This is how one participant put it: ‘They’re not my experience – I don’t relate to them’. While another said: ‘I don’t look at them. They’re the same messages over the years. They don’t motivate me at all’. Instead, positive messages that promote success stories on quitting smoking, and ways to improve quality of life were thought to be more helpful. For many, a more supportive environment was vital to their success in quitting.
Why the need for this campaign?
Quitting benefits your health
If you are an HIV positive smoker this is one of the most significant ways to improve your health.
Data from the HIV Futures 5 study shows that 47.6% of people with HIV smoke, more than twice the rate of the general population. Research has also shown that smoking cessation is one of the most important health prevention strategies people with HIV can undertake to reduce the incidence or impact of other health conditions associated with long term HAART (e.g. heart disease, strokes).
And, as people with HIV live longer and continue to smoke, they increase their risk of developing smoking-related cancers. Lifestyle changes like quit smoking can lower your risk of cancer. As soon as you quit, your body starts to heal and your cancer risk drops.
The benefits of quitting flow into every part of your life. I’m more enthusiastic about cooking and running with my dog … my health improved.
I’m more comfortable with me. Sue
Quitting builds confidence
You realise you can take on challenges and take control of your life.
In ‘nomorebutts - quit smoking for people with HIV’ campaign messages point out the health benefits of quit smoking by using a more positive approach, which focuses on people’s strengths (not failures), and builds confidence in their own ability to take on challenges and to achieve goals.
Giving up is a boost to your self-esteem. You realise you can achieve anything. David
Quitting takes several attempts
The more quit attempts the closer you are to success.
Quitting is a major achievement and successes should be celebrated. Research(2) tells us that it can take several (up to fourteen) attempts to quit, relapse is common, however the more quit attempts the closer you are to success. Every attempt is an achievement.
In our consultation, successful quitters used a number of strategies including nutrition, exercise, counselling (for anxiety and depression in nicotine withdrawal), and sessions on managing triggers, cravings and preventing slips. Integral to this is the integration of quit smoking as part of routine health care for people with HIV who smoke and the support of their doctor or health worker.
I felt a sense of achievement and pride. I stopped blaming myself when I slipped. This helped me to quit. Robert
Getting help and support
Quitting is a choice you make
You need to be ready, set goals and make plans to achieve them.
Different strategies work for different people. Your doctor or health worker can give advice and support; explain nicotine replacement therapy and other medical options.
For information on quit smoking programs and support
Sydney South West Area Health Service:
- Smoking Clinic - RPA Hospital - Ph: 02 9515 8613
- Croydon Community Health Centre - Ph: 02 9378 1306
South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service:
- Stop Smoking Program - Prince of Wales - Department of Respiratory Medicine - Ph: 02 9382 4641
- Smokers Clinic - St George Hospital - Ph: 02 9087 8300
Quitline Ph: 131 848 or 13 7848 (13 QUIT)
If you are ready to quit financial assistance is available
If you have a health-care card and you need financial assistance with quit smoking therapies contact BGF - ph: 9283 8666 / toll free 1800 651 011 or email: bgf@bgf.org.au (office hours are 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri).
How you feel about yourself is important. You need to be ready. If your heart’s not really in it, you’re not going to quit. It was the right time for me. Rick
1. Funded by the Cancer Council, ‘nomorebutts’ is part of a wider strategy of the NSW HIV Positive Health Promotion Interagency to provide integrated services and support to people with HIV. The interagency is working together in providing programs and referrals that use existing networks and activities already in place, namely quit smoking programs run by South Eastern Sydney Illawarra and Sydney South West Area Health Services.
Members include: Positive Life NSW, ACON, South Eastern and Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIAHS), Sydney South West Area Health Service (SSWAHS), North Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service (NSCCAHS), Sydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS), Multicultural HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Service (MHAHS), Positive Heterosexuals (PozHet), Australian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM), Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AHMRC), NSW Health AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch (AIDB), UNSW National Centre in HIV Social Research (NCHSR), UNSW National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR)
2. Clearing the Smoke [1]: What the research tells us about smoking cessation with very disadvantaged groups, Tackling Tobacco Program, Action on Smoking & Disadvantage.