A Kent pharmacist, Miss Irani Jumnoodoo, has launched an independent health promotion campaign in her Lloyds Pharmacy branch to help people stop smoking.
She first found out that her local primary care group, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge PCG, included reducing smoking in its health improvement plan to reduce coronary heart disease and stroke, although it had not, as yet, involved pharmacies in its activities in this field.
Miss Jumnoodoo told The Journal on June 12 that there was little relevant information in the local area, so she decided to concentrate on providing easy access to professional advice and long term support for people who wanted to give up the habit.
Epidemiological data showed that the main groups that needed to be targeted locally were men and women aged from 40 to 69 years. She decided to talk to each targeted customer personally and find out where they were in the "stage of change" model of dealing with addictions - thinking about stopping, giving up, relapsing - so that each could be advised accordingly. Each customer was also given leaflets to help increase their knowledge of the effects of smoking and the benefits of giving up. Individual progress was assessed weekly, according to the stage of change model.
Miss Jumnoodoo said: "I decided to go through an assessment form with each customer and measure weight, blood pressure, and carbon monoxide levels. I told them about the health and financial benefits of stopping smoking and about the risks to others via passive smoking. I spoke to each ‘ready' customer about nicotine replacement therapy and encouraged them to buy it - studies have shown it doubles their chances of success. I also spoke to them about motivational or behavioural support, and how this combined with pharmacotheraphy could be even more beneficial."
The campaign also involved showing health promotion videos in the pharmacy. Four -"Smoke chat" (Camden and Islington Community Health Service NHS Trust), "Fresh start" (Nicorette), "Coronary heart disease" (British Heart Foundation) and "Look after your heart" (Concord Video) - were shown on a weekly cycle.
Miss Jumnoodoo also designed her own poster and referral slips for local general medical practitioners. Briefings were given to GPs, practice nurses, the local health promotion unit and the health authority.

The campaign involves a custom designed poster