Information About this Service
The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats we have ever faced, killing more than 8 million people a year around the world. According to the NHS, in the UK alone, smoking kills 80,000 people every year and a further 500,000 people are admitted into hospital as a direct result of smoking. Smoking has been linked to countless conditions from depression, infertility and asthma, to more serious conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease.
Pharmacies can provide support and advice to those willing to give up smoking and refer them to specialist services when required. The team can enable access to stop smoking aids, from patches and inhalators to gum and medicines.
Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Improves choice and access to NHS Stop Smoking Services and medicinal and non-medicinal smoking aids.
Reduces smoking and thus smoking-related illnesses and deaths. Reduces passive smoke inhalation and thus improves the health of families and the wider population Identifies those requiring further help and thereby facilitates their referral on to specialist services.
How to access the Service and what our team do to support you
The team will perform an initial assessment where the patient is assessed for their readiness to make a quit attempt and their willingness to try recommended treatments.
Next, there is the initial consultation. Here, the patient’s carbon monoxide levels are measured. The patient is also told what the benefits are of stopping smoking, including the benefits of reducing passive smoking for their friends and family. There will also be an explanation of tobacco withdrawal syndrome, the effectiveness of treatment options, what the typical programme will look like, setting a quit date and agreeing on a chosen treatment pathway. There will then be follow up consultations which assess what the patient’s smoking status is using a carbon monoxide test.
You can find support for this service at the following Branches;
Click the clinks below to navigate to your chosen Pharmacy;