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advisory and Conducted in the main on a group discussion basis. No drug treatment was
attempted, although for a time Lobeline preparations were available and later Tabano
Anti-Smoking Pastilles.
In the initial stages of the Centre, the sessions were conducted personally by
the doctors abovenamed, but later, when the procedure became more regularised, the
medical officers in charge were drawn mainly from the staff of the L.C.C. Health
Division. The majority of the medical sessions since the London Borough of Islington
took over the Centre in April, 1965, have been conducted by Dr. H. O. Williams of the
Islington Chest Clinic and Mr. K.M.N. Robertson, Health Education Officer, has been
responsible for Centre publicity, and organising and leading the group discussion
courses.
This facility has, therefore, been available in Islington for over four years
and considerable experience has been gained of the usefulness, as well as the
limitations, of such work. There have been various trials in the courses arranged, for
example initially it was decided that a full course should consist of three successive
sessions; this was later reduced, but at the time of compiling this report (1967)
persons may attend a course of up to six lessons. Since attendance has been voluntary,
there has necessarily been considerable individual variation in the interest shown,
some have attended once only, others have felt that they would like help over a period
and attended on many occasions. At the sessions various group educational methods were
used. These included films, film strips, talks, questions and answers, the exhibition
of pathological specimens, etc. A record card was completed on the first attendance
and subsequently progress, or lack of progress, was noted. From time to time
enquiries were sent out regarding continuance of the smoking or non-smoking habit as
recorded on the last attendance.
It is not easy to assess the value of a Centre of this nature. There is no
doubt that for some, attendance at the Centre must be the decisive factor in persuading
them to discontinue smoking, whether temporarily or permanently, but even for those who
cannot bring themselves to give up entirely, it is considered that the information
gained at attendance has not necessarily been wasted. The decision to stop smoking may
be long delayed, but may nevertheless come after a time. Even those who continue to
smoke may, because of their attendance, attempt to discourage others, such as the
children in their family, and the London Borough of Islington believes the cost and
effort of this activity are worth while.
The opportunity has now been taken to review the work of the Clinic since its
inception and detailed assessment of the attendances and their results have been
undertaken by Dr. Joan Clarke, Dr. V. Freeman and Dr. H. Williams, with the assistance
of the Centre Clerk, Miss Gateley, A tabular summary is given on pages 79-81
Statistical Summary of Attendances and Results
Advisory Smoking Clinic - Drayton Park
A - Results among all those attending the clinic
Definitions: Tables 1 and 2
'Attenders' All those who attended the clinic on at least one occasion
'Succeeders' Those who said they were smoking 5 cigarettes a day or less
(including those not smoking at all) on the last occasion for
which information is available. **
'Stopped' Those who said they were not smoking any cigarettes at all on
the last occasion for which information is available.**
** For the majority this was the last occasion on which they attended the clinic and
might be from one week to several months after their first attendance. In 45 instances
the information was given by letter or phone call after the last recorded attendance.
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