Are you ready...to help smokers quit?

Cigarette

With National No-Smoking Day on the horizon (10 March 2010), kicking the habit may be next on the agenda for many customers and patients.

The following articles and resources will help you guide them in the right direction to take a positive step for their health.

Other resources

You and your customers can find useful information on the following websites:

Smokefree (NHS Choices)

Guidelines on smoking cessation services (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence)

Smoking cessation medication (Smoking Cessation Service Research Network)

Smoking can increase heart attack risk (British Heart Foundation)

PJ Online archives

Secretary of State for Health wants smoke-free future in England

NRT licensing extended to include harm reduction

CPD: How to encourage smoking cessation

No Smoking Day: what pharmacists can do to help smokers kick the habit

Five-fold underestimate of costs of smoking

Recommending a suitable smoking cessation aid for a patient suffering from depression

How motivational interviewing can help patients change their lifestyles

Offering financial reward for giving up smoking remains a dilemma

News from the PJ Online library

Resources, services and campaigns

Smoking guidance published

Latest smoking deterrent — graphic images

National smoking cessation conference 2010

Stop smoking services

UCL heads national smoking cessation training centre

Guidance should improve commissioning of pharmacy stop-smoking services

Clinical studies and evidence

Combination of NRT and nortriptyline unlikely to be more effective than single therapies in smoking cessation

Gradual smoking reduction aided by nicotine gum

Nicotine gum for pregnant smokers increases birth weight (POEM)

Smoking cessation: varenicline

NRT useful for those not intending to quit

Commercial websites

There are a wide range of nicotine replacement products available over the pharmacy counter. The following websites feature the major brands that will be familiar to you and your customers:

The NiQuitin (nicotine; GlaxoSmithKline) website includes information about how the product works, nicotine myths, a smoking cessation programme and vouchers giving money off products.

The Nicotinell (nicotine; Novartis) website includes information about available products, and tips and techniques to help quitting.

Nicorette (nicotine; McNeil) also has vouchers, support programmes, product information and video testimonials from past smokers.

And for something a little different…

Some creative anti-smoking ads are featured on this webpage which may provide inspiration for you or your customers to quit.

Go to the Are you ready...? homepage