This programme can provide support in quitting smoking and in combatting tobacco-related diseases

The prophylactic programme is addressed to smokers aged 18 or more. Its major goal is to reduce the incidence of tobacco-related diseases and to raise awareness of the negative consequences of tobacco smoking.

The programme's participants gain access to the specialist treatment of nicotine addiction. This mainly concerns persons with circulatory and respiratory system diseases and also neoplasms.

Stage I – 30 days to combat the addiction

In the first stage of the programme its participants can benefit from advice on how to quit smoking. It also includes the diagnosing and prevention of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The participants are provided with information on the consequences of tobacco smoking, the plan of their detoxification therapy, and the strength of their motivation to quit smoking is assessed.

Within the programme, a primary healthcare physician interviews the patient on issues related to tobacco smoking and the degree of nicotine addiction. Body weight, height and blood pressure are measured and, when necessary, spirometry is performed.

With the spirometry test it is possible to measure the so-called vital capacity of the lungs, i.e. the amount of air in the lungs a person can exhale from the lungs after a maximum inhalation. Spirometry can be used to diagnose the COPD and asthma, which have been diagnosed in a total of 5-6 million Poles.

The examination is carried out within the programme in women and men aged 40-65 who in the last 36 months have not undergone spirometric tests within the COPD prevention programme.

If participating in the programme for 30 days does not end in quitting smoking, patients with medium and high level of motivation are referred to the second stage.

Stage II – for the motivated

During this stage a physician carries out another interview with the patient on tobacco smoking and disease history. The physician also evaluates the information collected during the first stage of the programme.

Moreover, tests evaluating the level of tobacco addiction are performed, together with those measuring the motivation for quitting smoking. The tests also cover such issues as depression and symptoms of coming off tobacco.

Body weight, height, blood pressure and the level of carbon monoxide in the inhaled air are measured, and also a spirometry test is performed.

After collecting all the information, the type of therapy – group or individual - is agreed upon, and the indications for pharmacotherapy are identified. Plans are made as to the model of tobacco addiction treatment. The patients also have the opportunity to use telephone counselling.

Group or individual therapy lasts about three months. Its purpose is to strengthen the motivation to fight the addiction. After three, six and twelve months from the beginning of the therapy check-up examinations are carried out.

People with strong nicotine addiction suffering from serious diseases are referred to pharmacotherapy.

The growing number of people suffering from lung diseases

The consequence of the late diagnosis and the lack of treatment of the COPD are serious respiratory disorders and premature death. Each year in Poland 14 thousand people die from this disease.

Experts emphasise that the number of cases of asthma and the COPD is constantly growing.

The survey carried out by TNS Polska for the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate shows that 27% of Poles aged 15 or more admit to being tobacco addicts.