Smoking advice welcomed

Australian smokers wish their health service offered to help them quit the habit when they were admitted to hospitals across the Tasman, Lakes District Hospital staff say.

The Government's smoking-related heath target for 2012 to 2013 was for 95% of hospital patients identified as smokers to be offered brief advice on how to beat their addiction.

Smokefree Nurse Champion Jeanette Anderson, of the hospital in Frankton, said international visitors who arrived in the emergency department mostly supported being asked about their smoking habits and many found the discussion a refreshing surprise.

''A lot of visitors think it's really good what we are doing here, asking about people's smoking habits and then offering advice and help with quitting.

''They don't get the same support back home and many of them welcome the chance to talk to someone about their smoking habit.''

Ms Anderson said there appeared to be particularly strong support from Australian visitors.

''Lots of our Australian patients tell us that they don't get asked about smoking when they are in a hospital back home. They think it's an amazing service and wish they had it in Australia.

''Asking if they smoke is like taking a blood pressure to us. A lot of people say they've been thinking about quitting; it's like they are almost waiting to be asked,'' she said.

Inpatients identified as smokers received support including a ''grab and go'' pack which contained a quit book and card, which could be completed straightaway to enable a patient to access nicotine replacement therapy or other smoking cessation medication on site.

As well as positive feedback from international patients, the staff at Lakes District Hospital received a gift hamper from Smokefree Aotearoa New Zealand this year for hitting its smoking cessation target.