Pharmacy Training: The Importance of Effective Smoking Cessation Strategies

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Why is it hard for your customers to stop smoking?

• Physical and pharmacological: cigarettes are so addictive because of the rapid delivery of a high dose of nicotine to the brain, stimulating the ‘reward centre’¹
• Psychological: major motivation to continue smoking is avoidance of negative mood states caused by withdrawal of nicotine¹
• Behavioural/social: situations become linked to smoking such as at home watching the TV, driving the car and socialising².

References

1. Nicotine addiction in Britain: a report of the Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians. London: Royal College of Physicians, 2000.
2. Van Gucht D, et al. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2010;41:172-177.

Very Brief Advice (VBA)

VBA, based on Ask, Advise, Act, offers a quick and effective approach for healthcare professionals to offer advice on smoking cessation¹.

References

1. NCSCT and Public Health England. Local Stop Smoking Services: Service and Delivery Guidance 2014.
2. NHS England. 2019/20 General Medical Service (GMS) Contract Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF): Guidance for GMS contract 2019/20 in England.

Optimising VBA in Practice

Motivational Advice

Smokers should be encouraged to think about their motivation for why they want to stop smoking.

Reasons could include¹:

• To live longer and stay well
• Better all-round health including improved fitness
• To set a good example to children
• To save money.

Quitters should be aware that although the first few days after quitting may be very difficult, it tends to get easier after this¹.

Quitters should be advised about potential relapse and try to avoid the temptation to smoke¹.

References

1. ASH fact sheet. Stopping Smoking, March 2020.

Overcoming the Barriers

• Smokers should be mentally prepared to quit, but should realise they are not alone¹ – many people will be attempting to quit at the same time as them.
• Quitters should be made aware of any potential situations e.g. stress that may have a high risk of relapse, and should be advised to change their routine to avoid situations where they would usually smoke¹.
• The benefits of using pharmacotherapy should be communicated to quitters. For example, using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) helps to relieve nicotine craving and withdrawal symptoms.

References

1. ASH fact sheet. Stopping Smoking, March 2020.

Individualising Treatment

• There are a range of treatment options for quitters, and it is important to consider their needs and preferences¹.
• When advising patients on their treatment options it’s important to consider factors such as lifestyle, motivation for quitting and perceived barriers to quitting.

References

1. NICE: Public Health Guidance. Smoking: harm-reduction, June 2013.

NICORETTE^® Formats

Nicorette^® is available in several formats^1-7:

1. Patch
2. Mouth spray/connected mouth spray
3. Inhalator
4. Lozenge
5. Gum
6. Sublingual tablet
7. Nasal spray

References

1. McNeil Products Limited. Nicorette Nasal Spray SPC. 2. McNeil Products Limited. Nicorette Inhalator SPC. 3. McNeil Products Limited. Nicorette Invisi Patch SPC. 4. McNeil Products Limited. Nicorette Cools Lozenge SPC. 5. McNeil Products Limited. Nicorette QuickMist mouthspray SPC. 6. McNeil Products Limited. Nicorette Freshmint Gum SPC. 7. McNeil Products Limited. Nicorette Microtab SPC.

Dual support NRT for Additional Assistance

References

1. NICE. Smoking: harm reduction (ph45). NICE guideline. June 2013.

Click here for NICORETTE ^® (nicotine) product information

The importance of effective smoking cessation strategies

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