NPA highlights role of pharmacy in smoking support

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has underlined the various ways in which community pharmacies can aid nationwide efforts to help smokers kick the habit.

According to figures from the organisation, 4,000 people are able to quit smoking each month with the help of NHS counselling, which involves consulting a pharmacist to create a programme that can aid this process.

Moreover, most pharmacies provide nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) to help to reduce cravings by replacing the nicotine from cigarettes, without the toxic chemicals such as tar and carbon monoxide that can damage health.

Deborah Evans, director of pharmacy at the NPA, said: "NRT is available in a range of ways to suit you … Your pharmacist or pharmacy smoking advisor can help you to choose the most suitable product for you."

This comes in response to recently-released government figures showing that passive smoking can damage children's health much more than many people realise.

A Public Health England campaign is therefore being launched this month to help dissuade people from smoking indoors or inside their cars.