Why is this guidance important to you?

Smoking is one of the most significant contributing factors to ill health and life expectancy. In 2009 it was estimated that 5% of all hospital admissions of adults in England aged 35 and over was attributable to smoking and 18% of smoking related deaths fell within this age range.

NICE indicates that smoking remains the leading cause of preventable mortality and premature death in England and advises that everyone who smokes should be advised to quit.

Pharmacists and pharmacy staff are ideally placed, as trusted healthcare professionals, to offer support and guidance to smokers who are interested in quitting and raise awareness of its clear and harmful long term effects to those who are not yet ready to give up the habit, through the provision of factual information and the integration of a national strategy at a local level.

Who needs to read this?

Pharmacists across all sectors of practice who participate in smoking cessation public health campaigns, advise on public health as part of their daily workplace activity and those who are considering setting up a local smoking cessation service.

What does this guidance cover

• How to get the Stop Smoking message across to those who could benefit most
• What smoking cessation drug therapies are available
• What supplementary support and advice can be offered
• How to treat pregnant women or those trying to conceive
• Advice for repeat service users
• Where to go for further information

Click here to view the quick reference guide »