Stafford's Tom invents 'groundbreaking' device to help smokers quit

A former plumber from Stafford has been shortlisted for a Lord Stafford Award for innovation after developing a groundbreaking device to help smokers kick the habit.

Tom Rowley, 61, developed the ‘Six and Out’ device in 2005 after watching friends and family fail in their efforts to quit.

The inventor uses a set of six cigarette holders, which introduce increasing amounts of air when the smoker draws on the cigarette, gradually reducing the quantities of smoke and nicotine being inhaled.

Starting with just one vent, the smoker can progress through to number six over a number of weeks, enabling them to wean themselves off cigarettes.

Tom – who has never smoked and was forced to retire as a plumber due to ill health – was inspired to develop the product after he watched friends and family failing to quit through methods currently available at the pharmacy.

The first version of the product – based on the lid of a biro – was sketched out in his garage before he enlisted the help of Different by Design.

It wasn’t long before the potential of the device benefited from the assistance of the Centre of Healthcare Innovation and Development (CHID) at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, who in turn brought in the University of Wolverhampton to help with its development.

Now taking on a truly West Midlands’ feel, it was the turn of the Manufacturing Advisory Service to add its expertise to the mix and, after months of planning and tweaking, Powell and Harbour in Worcester produced the first ‘Six and Out’ products.

He has now been recognised for his efforts with a short listing for the prestigious Lord Stafford Award.

The awards showcase the best in West Midlands collaboration between universities and businesses, with Tom nominated for an ‘Impact through Innovation Award’ at the glittering ceremony at Worcester Cathedral on November 13.

Tom said: “The smoking ban, coupled with the economic situation at the moment, has led to a sharp increase in the number of people trying to stop the habit.

“There are all kinds of nicotine replacement products out there, such as patches and tablets but all of them are substituting the nicotine from one source to another.

“Six and Out means that smokers can concentrate their efforts on gradually kicking the habit as they will slowly reduce the amount of nicotine and other harmful chemicals they are inhaling.

“This has proven to work on friends and family and we are now taking the product to the market where hopefully it can help others.”

Over 400 of the ‘Six and Out’ Devices have been manufactured and, following successful completion of laboratory testing, it will shortly be entering clinical trials.

Lasting roughly three months, this next stepping stone is the one the Stafford-based inventor admits could well make the difference to bringing the product to market.

“If they pass, and I have every confidence they will, we can start seriously looking at how we sell them to the public,” explained Tom.

“There is even talk that the NHS may actually use them as a prescription treatment to act as an alternative to the nicotine replacement help. If this happens, it will be huge!”

Patron of the Awards, Lord Stafford, said: “The Impact Through Innovation award seeks to recognise those whose efforts could potentially have a profound effect on the world.

“Although it is still early days, the University of Wolverhampton is enthused about the potential of this innovation and the way it could help thousands of people to stop smoking.

“Given the damage smoking does to the economy and the UK’s health service, I think Tom deserves huge credit for developing something that could have a massive impact.”

The Lord Stafford Awards will once again honour companies and individuals in four categories, including ‘Impact through Innovation’, ‘Achievement in Innovation’, ‘Entrepreneurial Spirit’ and ‘Knowledge Transfer Champion’.