Key to success
Stopping smoking works. The risks of smoking are huge. Half of smokers
are killed by their habit and many more develop cancer, heart disease,
bronchitis, impaired fertility and other health problems as a consequence
of smoking.
It is worth stopping smoking at any age, even after the onset of smoking-related
illness. Quitting smoking is the single most important thing people can
do for their health. The greatest benefits are seen in those quitting
before middle age who then avoid most of the long-term risks. However,
despite the widely known benefits, many people fail in attempts to give
up the habit.
There is no doubt that quitting smoking is difficult. It needs preparation.
An opportunity for smokers to quit is No Smoking Day which, this year,
is on March 14 (p151).
Informing smokers about No Smoking Day in the preceding month is vitally
important. This will allow them time to prepare both physically and mentally
for a quit attempt. Last year, half a million people in the United Kingdom
tried to quit on No Smoking Day. Unfortunately, only a small percentage
will have remained non-smokers today. If smokers are prepared for their
quit attempt, it might just give them the edge, and that could mean the
difference between success and failure.
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On guard
Following the official launch of Levonelle this week, the Royal Pharmaceutical
Society is echoing The Pharmaceutical Journal’s call last week
for pharmacists to be on their guard when supplying non- prescription
emergency hormonal contraception (see p137).
EHC remains high on the media’s agenda. Last week we reported how the
Daily Mail had sent an under-age girl round pharmacies in London
trying to buy it. The National Pharmaceutical Association is considering
taking legal action over the resulting articles (see p139).
This week attention has been focused on the sale of EHC over the internet
by Superdrug.com. This development was mentioned unfavourably during the
House of Lords debate on EHC on January 29 (see p136).
The Lords went on to reject a move to stop over-the-counter sales of EHC
and their support is to be welcomed. But, as we said last week, pharmacists
need to follow, and be seen to be following, the Society’s guidance if
EHC through pharmacies is going to be judged a success.
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