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New beginnings: the

benefits of setting up

a Smoking Cessation

Service in your pharmacy.

As we welcome a new year, it's an ideal time to consider how your
pharmacy can make a significant impact on public health and your
business. Smoking is the primary cause of preventable illness and
premature death, responsible for approximately 74,600 deaths
annually in England. Shockingly, about one in eight people in the
UK still smokes, with 66% expressing a desire to quit, and half of
them being ready to take that life-changing step. Setting up a
smoking cessation service in your pharmacy could be the perfect
way to help them.

The power of support

Studies and pilot schemes have consistently shown that when patients
are offered support in their journey to quit smoking, the success rates rise
dramatically. Without any support, only around 2-3% of smokers succeed in
quitting, but with the right assistance, this figure can skyrocket to an average
of 20%. This significant difference highlights the crucial role that healthcare
professionals play in helping individuals break free from the clutches of
tobacco.
Community pharmacists: the ideal support system

Community pharmacists are uniquely positioned to offer essential support
for patients looking to quit smoking. They can provide not only guidance and
counselling but also vital resources such as nicotine replacement therapy
(NRT) and, when appropriate, prescription medications like varenicline
(Champix) or bupropion (Zyban) via a Patient Group Direction (PGD). This
comprehensive approach ensures that individuals have access to the tools
they need to kick the habit and lead healthier lives.

Why offer a Smoking Cessation Service?

• Improve sales of OTC Smoking Cessation products: by offering a dedicated
smoking cessation service, your pharmacy can enhance the sales of over-
the-counter (OTC) smoking cessation products. Smokers attempting to
quit will be more likely to choose your pharmacy for their needs.

• Increase adherence to prescription Smoking Cessation medication: with
your expert guidance, patients are more likely to adhere to prescription
smoking cessation medications, thus increasing their chances of quitting
successfully.
• Build customer loyalty: providing valuable healthcare services like smoking
cessation can enhance customer loyalty. People will remember your
pharmacy as a place where they received life-changing support.

• Create an additional revenue stream: besides being a public health
initiative, offering smoking cessation services can be a new source of
revenue for your pharmacy, helping you expand your business.

https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Smoking-Statistics-Fact-Sheet.pdf?v=1697728811
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