Smoking and surgery: advice for patients (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, 2023)

Summary

This briefing has been produced jointly by ASH and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and has been designed for health professionals and commissioners, to provide clear advice and examples of good practice in relation to smoking and surgery.

Content

• Smokers who do not quit before surgery are at significantly higher risk of many adverse outcomes including death.
• Excess complications caused by smoking are creating additional burdens on the NHS.
• Upcoming surgery can act as an important, ‘teachable moment’ in a smoker’s life, facilitating intervention.
• Evidence-based interventions have been developed that help people to stop or reduce smoking before surgery.
• Increased investment in hospital-based treatment for tobacco dependence creates opportunity to expand support to those on surgical waiting lists – improving surgical outcomes and helping to address health inequalities.
• Significant reductions in smokers undergoing surgery can be achieved if smokers are given evidence-based ‘Very Brief Advice’ with referral to expert support to stop or abstain.