Smokerlyzer highlights effects of smoking

The small device measures the amount of carbon monoxide (CO), a toxic gas coming out of the lungs. 

 

Wintec health services nurse Kaylene Henderson says the device encourages conversations about smoking among students, and many are joining the free smoking cessation programme as a result which aims to support smokers to quit for good. 

 

“It lets them see the impact of their smoking and make the decision to quit rather than us just talking about it,” she said. 

 

“Seeing a number makes a big difference, it generates a conversation about what it means and what can be done about it. Once a student has had one reading, they are naturally interested in what a second reading would be.” 

 

The patient holds their breath for about 15 seconds and then blows into the smokerlyzer until their lungs are empty. Measurements of 0-6 are considered safe, 7-10 are moderate alert, 11 or higher is of high concern. Levels can change significantly in a month, and even in a week. A typical smoker can get out of the danger zone in less than 30 days. 

 

“A male patient who was a social smoker had his last cigarette a week and a half earlier. His measurement was 7, which is above the safe level and higher than expected,” said Kaylene.

 

“I told him his social smoking is still affecting him and his lungs are not performing as they should. For him, that was an incentive to think about his smoking and the options available to quit. “A non-smoker may still get a carbon monoxide level of about two to six, due to being out and about amongst cars and other pollution.” 

 

The smokerlyzer was purchased at the end of 2013 for around $1,400. 

 

“We’re encouraging students to create healthy habits while they are young, and this is a tool to get the message out. We join lectures and tutorials to talk about health issues and the support available. 

 

“We meet with international and trade students, which have high smoking rates. It’s more effective for us to join their class, rather than get them to attend an out-of-class session. We see an obvious link between a health talk and students showing up at the medical centre afterwards. It also puts our medical centre staff in front of the students, making them feel more relaxed when they come in.” 

 

The smokerlyzer also measures the percentage of haemoglobin that is tied up with CO. Patients that smoke heavily will have CO levels above 20 which correlates with a greater percentage of Heamoglobin tied up with CO rather than oxygen. 

 

“Haemoglobin transports oxygen around the body, so I always ask the student ‘what parts of the body need the most oxygen? The brain and the heart. You’re here to study, so what affect do you think this is having on your ability to think and learn?’ That’s a big wake up call.”