Useful Smokefree Resources for Organisations

Here you will find links to information which may be of use to your organisation in progressing it's smokefree directions.

Additional Smokefree policy advice and information

Contact any of the organisations below or Penny Marlowe, Regional Smokefree Coordinator for Mental Health & Addictions NGOs on penny.marlowe@ndsa.co.nz or 021 810 472.

Integrating ABC into processes and client information systems 

The way that client’s smoking status is assessed will vary depending on the organisation and service type. There are many ways to ask (A) people if they are currently smoking cigarettes, provide them brief (B) advice, and provide or refer them to cessation (C) support.

It is often ideal for A, B and C to be integrated into existing organisational systems (eg. initial assessment forms) so that 1. staff are prompted to use this approach and 2. so that this information is captured in a consistent way throughout the organisation or service. A, B and C can also be integrated into data management/ patient information systems which will allow for monitoring of smoking status, quit rates and initiating reminders to reconfirm current smoking status (eg. six monthly). 

For advice about implementing ABC within your organisation please contact Penny Marlowe ph. 021 810 472 or penny.marlowe(at)ndsa.co.nz

Smokefree Legislation

Smoke-free Environments Act 1990

Smoke-free Environments Regulations 2007 

Smokefree Best Practice Checklist for Mental Health & Addictions Services

This Best Practice Checklist is based on the Systems First TM model for implementing organisational smokefree changes. The checklist can help your evaluate where your organisation is at in terms of smokefree best practice. The tool can also be used as a plannning tool to help guide you in ways forward once you have identified areas which may benefit from working on.

The main areas which are explored in the checklist are: policy, systems, education, intervention and responsibilities. 

Healthy Workplace Programme

Heartbeat Challenge is a health promotion programme that addresses cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors (poor nutrition, physical inactivity, smoking and stress) in workplaces. The aim of the programme is to create a workplace environment that supports wellbeing.

contact Judy Montgomery (Workplace Health Project Manager)
Email: jmontgomery "at" adhb.govt.nz
Phone: (09) 6234600 x 27749

Heartbeat Challenge web page

 Commitment to smokefree and staff recruitment

The staff recruitment process presents an excellent opportunity to let candidates know about your organisation's smokefree policy and views regarding supporting both staff and service users who smoke to quit.

An example of how one could say this during the recruitment process would be:

"...I'd like to let you know that here at (organisation) we feel strongly that it is out role as a health care provider to provide the best possible support for our staff and service users to become smokefree. We have a Smokefree Policy which outlines amongst other things, that staff can only smoke offsite and out of uniform. We have people trained within the organisation who can provide staff and clients support to become smokefree".

To discuss this area further contact:

Penny Marlowe, Regional Smokefree Coordinator, Mental Health & Addictions NGOs
ph. 021 810 472
email: penny.marlowe "at" ndsa.co.nz

Communicating with others about a quit attempt

It’s important that you let others know about a client’s plans to quit smoking.

This should include a client’s prescribing doctor (psychiatrist or GP) as they may need to adjust or monitor other medications effected by stopping smoking. It may be that a client’s clinical key worker could convey this information and be responsible for keeping abreast of any other medication changes.

It can also be valuable to inform others involved in a client’s care so they can provide support and encouragement, as well as keeping an eye out for any side effects.

Here is a letter template which can be sent to a client's prescriber (GP or psychiatrist) or key worker.

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