Let’s talk about smoking
Guidance, support and training for staff and volunteers supporting people with mental health problems about the effects of smoking on mental health, and how you can respond.
About the IMPACT Project
ASH Scotland’s IMPACT project has provided a guidance booklet and up-to-date training on smoking and mental health to third sector, local authority and NHS services since 2017. It is aimed at staff and volunteers supporting people with mental health issues and looks closer at smoking and mental health, and how you can support those you work with.
In addition to our guidance booklet about the effects of smoking on mental health, which you can download under the IMPACT guidance tab, we offer a free blended training course which is part eLearning and part face-to-face (via Zoom). You can find our scheduled dates and links to book a place under the training tab above.
If you would like to discuss this further please contact:
Jim O’Rorke jororke@ashscotland.org.uk
Iain Stewart istewart@ashscotland.org.uk

Help to Stop Smoking
During the Coronavirus outbreak if you are considering quitting smoking there is still help available in Scotland from Quit Your Way Scotland. You can find information here from NHS Inform and you can find local information here.
Smoking is an important, and emotive, issue in the world of mental health.
We know that people experiencing poor mental health are more likely to smoke, and in fact smoking is the biggest part of why people with mental health issues die 10-20 years earlier than the general population. Smoking imposes significant financial costs on this already disadvantaged group, with the average cost to a smoker being £1600 a year. We now also know that smoking does not support good mental health, and stopping smoking is associated with improvements in conditions such as depression, stress and anxiety.
Reducing smoking is now a national priority in the Scottish Government’s 10-year mental health strategy. Yet many professionals report that they find it difficult to engage with clients on smoking, as they wish to avoid appearing judgemental or controlling, or feel that this further disempowers clients through taking away a support mechanism.
The IMPACT project exists to support workers and volunteers, enabling them to be more confident when supporting clients to consider the mental and physical health benefits of stopping smoking.”

Events
Keep track of all our upcoming IMPACT events and find one near you.
Blogs
We have a variety of blogs that you can follow for the latest information.

Resources
Find links to other information which you may find useful when discussing smoking with the people you support.
ASH Scotland
8 Frederick Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2HB
t: 0131 225 4725
e: engagement@ashscotland.org.uk
w: ashscotland.org.uk
Funded by:
