Peninsula Health Smoking Cessation Research Pharmacist Darshana Meanger in a photo taken before COVID-19.
This blog was written by Darshana Meanger, Smoking Cessation Research Pharmacist at Peninsula Health.
Peninsula Health has been a smoke free site for 11 years and we are dedicated to supporting patients at any stage of their quit journey.
We are committed to providing a smoke free environment for staff, patients, visitors and carers.
The smoke free policy prohibits any smoking or carrying of lighted cigarettes, cigars or pipes anywhere on the Peninsula Health sites.
This includes all car parks, grounds, buildings and vehicles.
What is nicotine withdrawal?
Nicotine is the ingredient in cigarettes that causes cravings for cigarettes.
Nicotine withdrawal can occur within hours of not having cigarettes. Signs of nicotine withdrawal include cigarette cravings, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, frustration, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, increased appetite and depressed mood.
What can you do to prevent nicotine withdrawal when you or a family member are admitted into hospital?
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) works by replacing some of the nicotine that you would normally get from smoking without the other 4,000 harmful chemicals found in cigarettes.
NRT is available for all patients during their hospital stay to prevent withdrawal.
During your (or a family members) inpatient stay we would recommended that you let your pharmacist, doctor or nurse known that you smoke so that NRT can be charted to prevent nicotine withdrawal and ensure you are comfortable during your hospital stay.
Support services
Having support will help you to quit once and for all.
- Quitline advisor: 13 QUIT (13 7848)
- Quitcoach: quitcoach.org.au