CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Removal of barriers to optimise access to NRT via stop smoking services in Ireland
1
Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
2
Health Intelligence, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2026;12(Supplement 1):A126
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND-AIM:
Ireland’s first National Stop Smoking Clinical Guideline was published in January 2022, outlining recommended stop smoking care for smokers engaging with the health services. The guideline recommended making supports more widely available to clients as access and costs are known barriers to uptake of recommended stop smoking supports by clients. The effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) as a smoking cessation aid is well established; however, cost may act as a barrier to access.
METHODS:
In 2022, Department of Health funding was provided to the HSE, to establish new stop smoking services in identified areas of economic disadvantage in Ireland, including the offer of free nicotine replacement therapy (combination NRT) to those who engaged with the service for support to quit smoking. In July 2022, this offer was extended to all clients engaging with HSE stop smoking services (regardless of where they lived, or financial means). These enhancements in service delivery significantly increased the accessibility and availability of effective stop smoking care in Ireland.
RESULTS:
In 2024, 20405 quit attempts were supported by HSE Stop Smoking Services (8601 quit attempts were supported in 2021). Almost 8000 individuals (who would previously have had to pay for NRT) availed of the offer of free NRT via stop smoking services in 2024. There was a significant increase in NRT uptake among services users after the introduction of universal NRT access (78% in 2024 vs 57% in 2021) and higher quit rates at four (59% in 2024 vs 56% in 2021) and twelve (40% in 2024 vs 39% in 2021) weeks.
CONCLUSIONS:
Overcoming barriers to effective stop smoking care is key to achieving tobacco endgame, especially for the most disadvantaged populations. Investment in stop smoking care to improve access and the introduction of free NRT for everyone using a stop smoking service has increased the effectiveness of stop smoking care in an Irish context and illustrates the benefits of universal access. International policy makers should promote universal access to treatments in future tobacco control efforts.
Ireland’s first National Stop Smoking Clinical Guideline was published in January 2022, outlining recommended stop smoking care for smokers engaging with the health services. The guideline recommended making supports more widely available to clients as access and costs are known barriers to uptake of recommended stop smoking supports by clients. The effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) as a smoking cessation aid is well established; however, cost may act as a barrier to access.
METHODS:
In 2022, Department of Health funding was provided to the HSE, to establish new stop smoking services in identified areas of economic disadvantage in Ireland, including the offer of free nicotine replacement therapy (combination NRT) to those who engaged with the service for support to quit smoking. In July 2022, this offer was extended to all clients engaging with HSE stop smoking services (regardless of where they lived, or financial means). These enhancements in service delivery significantly increased the accessibility and availability of effective stop smoking care in Ireland.
RESULTS:
In 2024, 20405 quit attempts were supported by HSE Stop Smoking Services (8601 quit attempts were supported in 2021). Almost 8000 individuals (who would previously have had to pay for NRT) availed of the offer of free NRT via stop smoking services in 2024. There was a significant increase in NRT uptake among services users after the introduction of universal NRT access (78% in 2024 vs 57% in 2021) and higher quit rates at four (59% in 2024 vs 56% in 2021) and twelve (40% in 2024 vs 39% in 2021) weeks.
CONCLUSIONS:
Overcoming barriers to effective stop smoking care is key to achieving tobacco endgame, especially for the most disadvantaged populations. Investment in stop smoking care to improve access and the introduction of free NRT for everyone using a stop smoking service has increased the effectiveness of stop smoking care in an Irish context and illustrates the benefits of universal access. International policy makers should promote universal access to treatments in future tobacco control efforts.
| eISSN: | 2459-3087 |
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