A GROWING number of people using Quitline are getting help to quit smoking cannabis. Local advisers attended a UK course called Cannabis – debates and difficulties – which was set up by the charity after it found that more and more people attending its clinics were having difficulty stopping because they were smoking cannabis, too.

The latest research shows that the tar in cannabis cigarettes contains many of the same carcinogens as tobacco smoke, but the concentrations of these are up to 50% higher in cannabis smoke. It also deposits four times as much tar on the respiratory tract as an unfiltered cigarette of the same weight.

‘The Guernsey Quitline advisers regularly attend training days in the UK to ensure that they are up to date with the latest information in smoking cessation, to enable them to maintain the same professional standards as the UK,’ said health promotion officer Gerry Le Roy.

‘The course is one of a series the advisers will be attending so that they can support any smoker in their quit attempt, whether they are using tobacco with cannabis or just tobacco.’

She said that advisers had still to assess the local situation.

Drug Strategy funded the training after Quitline highlighted the issue.

Information about cannabis is being further publicised in the community this week as part of Drugs Awareness Week.