title: Results of data gathered at a smoking cessation counselling stand in the Dublin Dental University Hospital on Mouth Cancer Awareness Day 2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The addictive aspect of smoking is well acknowledged. Research has shown that interventions by healthcare professionals have been shown to be effective and that smokers will benefit from smoking cessation counselling before, during and after their quit attempts. Dental hygienists, as part of the healthcare team, are well positioned to provide this counselling.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was completed by patients, staff, students and members of the public, during Mouth Cancer Awareness Day 2012 in the Dublin Dental University Hospital to assess the prevalence of smoking as well as the history of smoking and quit attempts by current and former smokers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of smoking was lower than the national average. A total of 18.3% of those surveyed were smokers, 25% were former smokers, and 68% of the smokers had their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking, indicating high dependence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of the smokers (79%) had attempted to quit. Stress was the most common reason for lapsing. The most common reasons for smoking cessation were health issues. The public is well disposed to receive information regarding smoking and the methods available to quit by healthcare professionals on health awareness days such as Mouth Cancer Awareness Day.
authors.affiliation: Dublin Dental University Hospital. catherine.waldron@dental.tcd.ie
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.affiliation: Dublin Dental University Hospital.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cronin
authors.affiliation: Dublin Dental University Hospital.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guray
authors.affiliation: Dublin Dental University Hospital.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hynes
authors.affiliation: Dublin Dental University Hospital.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.affiliation: Dublin Dental University Hospital.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult