Working Life: Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health

Mateusz Naumczyk, health promotion and improvement officer, HSE

Fri, 29 Dec, 2023 - 02:00

Catherine Shanahan

6am

I wake up early, get dressed, and head out for a short walk to get myself energised. I’m ready to take on the day then, starting by prepping food — which is usually mince, rice, and plenty of greens. After it’s cooked, I have breakfast, take my vitamins, and head to my Stop Smoking Clinic.

The tobacco clinics are part of my work as a health promotion and improvement officer in the Community Healthcare East, stretching from Baggot St down to south Wicklow.

What attracted me to this role was the opportunity to help people lead a healthier lifestyle and better quality of life. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health.

8.30am

As the HSE stop smoking service can be delivered in person or over the phone, I check my calendar for scheduled calls that day and send reminder texts for all in-person appointments.

While having my first coffee, I contact scheduled clients for the morning. The appointments take 10-60 minutes.

If it’s my first conversation with a client, it takes more time as I assess their nicotine dependence, motivation, explore reasons for quitting, and discuss the service and the option of availing of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). This includes patches, gums, lozenges etc.

The initial consultation is a great opportunity to ask questions and clear any misunderstanding about quitting smoking.

1pm

I have lunch and then head for a short walk to give my eyes a well-deserved rest from the laptop screen.

1.30pm

Back in the office, I make more calls to clients looking to access the service — as well as those who are already seeking our support to quit smoking.

Clients can be referred by a healthcare professional or they can self-refer by contacting us at 087-0927225 or emailing ChEast.quit@hse.ie

4.30pm

At home, I have dinner with my fiancé and we catch up on how our days went. Then I get ready to get to the gym and lift some heavy weights.

6.45pm

Back home, I have a quick post-training meal and spend the evening with my future wife. We may go for a walk, play board games, or just chill on the couch watching TV.

10pm

I finish my day off with a shower, maybe read a chapter of a book, and then head to bed.