A controversial scheme that saw North children as young as 12 given nicotine patches has been hailed a success after persuading some of them to give up smoking. The project in County Durham hit the national headlines in 2005 after health workers revealed that some children were starting smoking at the age of eight or nine and were becoming hooked by 12. At the time, nicotine replacement patches were not licensed for use with children, and health workers from the County Durham Primary Care Trust had to work carefully with GPs to ensure that they were comfortable about prescribing them. But, after 18 months of the project, the number of children asking for help in giving up smoking has doubled and 28 of the 103 children taking part have managed to kick the habit. Iain Miller, smoking cessation co-ordinator for County Durham Primary Care Trust, said: “The scheme initiated from pupil interest in accessing support in stopping smoking. “We felt that if adults could access evidence-based treatment, there would be some young pupil who would benefit from it too. “We got agreement from the primary care trust to do that, but it caused a bit of a storm so we developed a protocol to give GPs the confidence that they were following robust guidelines. “The numbers of young people accessing the service rose from 33 in 2004-5 to 70 the following year so we certainly see that as a success. The quit rate stayed about the same, but that’s twice as many young people who’ve stopped which is pleasing too. “There are still groups meeting in a few of the schools and even when it doesn’t work with some young people, it’s planted the seed in them and increases the likelihood that they will stop some time in the future.” The project began after a roadshow warning of the dangers of drink and drug addiction led to young pupils asking for help. Many were smoking as many as 20 cigarettes a day, despite being only in their early teens. Greencroft School in Stanley piloted the scheme, and it was then taken up by four other schools in Derwentside, followed by another four around Chester-le-Street and Durham City. School nurses are not obliged to tell children’s parents that they are receiving treatment, though they are encouraged to be open with their families to get support. Children who do not want to tell parents they smoke have to do a test to show they are capable of making the decision to have nicotine patches. Although the scheme received some criticism when it first started, it has since been copied in a number of areas around the country. Health workers insist that only children who are committed to stopping smoking are given patches, with a group at one school being refused when they didn’t do enough to convince project staff that they were genuine. “We’re not giving these things out like sweets,” said Mr Miller.
Northumberland
