FEATURES: A celebration event was held in Letterkenny Youth and Family Services (LYFS) on World No Tobacco Day, Tuesday 31st May to celebrate the results of a joint project between LYFS and HSE Donegal Smoking Cessation Service.
The pilot project “Cleaner Air for the Family to Share” ran in Letterkenny over four weeks in April.
The aim of the project was to increase the awareness of the impact of passive smoking on children and babies health, and to encourage people in the project area to have tobacco restrictions in their home.
Thirty households took part in the pilot project and there are completed results from 24 of the participating homes
Before the project After the project %reduction
Smoke in the home 21 (88%) 3 (12%) 86%
Smoke in the car 15 (65%) 5 (21%) 66%
This now means that adults in the pilot project area are more aware of the impact of passive smoking on children and babies health and they have reduced this harm by voluntarily placing tobacco restrictions in their home and car.
This project was not about telling people to quit tobacco but as a result of being involved in the project 4 people have now quit tobacco.
One of those participants is Maureen Mc Laughlin who has been quit tobacco since 29th April after 31 years and she is delighted and feels better both physically and mentally.
One of her main reasons for quitting is to protect the health of her 2 grandchildren and to be around and in good health to enjoy spending time with them.
She is also feeling more confident generally and is planning to do the West Highland Walkway next year which she never thought she would have the energy to do.
Maureen found the pilot project to be of great support from both the LYFS staff and the Smoking Cessation Service and she feels very supported with quitting tobacco and doesn’t feel alone. She paid particular thanks to Louise Glennon and the other girls from LYFS Leigh Mc Geever, Gemma Hume, Louise Dempsey, Patricia Ferry and Kirsty Nugent for all their support.
Fiona Boyle, Smoking Cessation Advisor, Donegal Community commented that ‘we are delighted with the pilot project results where exposure to second hand smoke has reduced by 86% in the home and 66% in the car for both children and adults. This was the aim of the project and the fact that 4 people used the pilot project as an opportunity to quit tobacco has shown us how making tobacco restrictions in your home and car can really support people who are trying to quit or who have already quit tobacco’.
The final results of the pilot project were available at the celebration event and all participants and those present were entered into a draw. The draw 4 winners were Bridget Gibbons, Michelle Bonner, Shane Mc Farland and Maureen Mc Laughlin.
