Nicola Reed understands what it takes to quit smoking. 

A Clinical Nurse Consultant in the Respiratory Chronic Care Program for more than a decade, Nicola supports patients in the community who experience the ill effects of tobacco and smoking. 

But what’s more, Nicola was a heavy smoker in her younger years. 

“I was 20 pack-years and I never thought I could give up. And I did,” she said. 

That was more than 20 years ago. 

This year, a new Smoking and Vaping Cessation Clinic will open at Concord Hospital, to support respiratory patients and those looking for help to quit. 

“I know that even the most hard-core smokers can do it, they really can,” Nicola said. 

“I am hoping this clinic will engage and support people to quit smoking in a modern way, with online and face-to-face options.” 

The clinic model will provide patients with a face-to-face (or telehealth) consultation with questionnaires and nicotine dependence assessments to establish their readiness to give up smoking or vaping. Patients will then be provided with a range of interventions to start their quit journey on the spot including a 7-day pack of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), an introduction to the Quitline service for ongoing support, a letter for their GP to link up with for ongoing NRT and a phone call follow up one week later. 

The clinic team is completing additional credentials in smoking cessation before referrals to the new clinic will open.  

Matthew Peters, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Concord Hospital hopes the clinic can expand to other locations in the District, targeting those addicted to tobacco products and vaping not only respiratory patients.  

“It is very important that the health system evolve to meet the changing needs of the community,” Professor Peters said.  

“Providing care in this way is one element of a comprehensive approach to address the harms of widespread vaping whilst still addressing the ongoing risks of tobacco use.” 

On World No Tobacco Day, May 31, new signage near hospital entries and elevators aims to remind clients, patients, staff and visitors that smoking and vaping is harmful and is not permitted in or around NSW Health hospitals and facilities.  

The NSW Smoke-free Health Care Policy bans the use of cigarettes and vapes (e-cigarettes) to reduce the risks to the community through exposure to second-hand smoke.