Less than half of smokers in hospital get advice on quitting
The advice provided is said to inspire smokers to quit
Only 45% of smokers admitted to hospital are offered advice on how to quit.
The British Thoracic Society (BTS) said that these brief conversations have been proven to inspire smokers to quit.
BTS looked at 14,000 patient records across 120 UK hospitals during 2021, and found that only 45% of smokers in hospital were recorded as getting advice with a healthcare worker on how to quit.
Professor Sanjay Agrawal, national specialty adviser for tobacco addiction, said: "The BTS audit findings demonstrate the considerable opportunity to screen and treat tobacco dependency across the NHS."
The survey of 602 British smokers also found that 28% believe such advice would prompt them to attempt to make a quit.
Dr Paul Walker, BTS chair, said: "Tackling tobacco dependence is fundamental” and medical professionals should use “every opportunity to offer advice and help to aid smokers to quit”.
According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) 42% of smokers expect to get advice about quitting every time they visit the GP.
ASH chief executive Deborah Arnott said: "No one should give up on giving up. Every time someone tries to stop smoking, they are a step closer to success."