Supplying nicotine replacement therapy and displaying a few leaflets typifies many pharmacists' contribution to smoking cessation services. Time and cost often prevent them from providing further services. However, this may change because the important role that pharmacists can play in smoking cessation has been recognised by new guidelines funded by the Health Development Agency (PJ, December 2, p809).
Pharmacists are accessible, are often proactive in offering opportunistic advice and can supply treatments and support for smokers attempting to quit (p858). To optimise their abilities, they need specialist training. Armed with new skills, pharmacists could, and should, become involved in local smoking cessation services and expand the support mechanisms they offer in their pharmacies.