Promoting smoking cessation in the paediatric respiratory clinic

Exposure to tobacco smoke is harmful to children and young people (CYP). There is, to our knowledge, no published evidence quantifying the success of smoking cessation interventions targeted at both CYP and their parents or guardians in paediatric respiratory clinics. We offered 102 participants smoking cessation advice, using motivational interviewing and exhaled carbon monoxide measurements to help them quit smoking. In total, 16 of 102 participants quit smoking, with 4 lost to follow-up. A further 40 participants cut down on how much they smoked. Conclusion: Formal screening questions on smoking and the provision of smoking cessation advice should form a regular part of all respiratory clinics where CYP and their parents are seen. Simple smoking cessation interventions can lead to reduced smoking in this population.