The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7239 p327
8 March 2003

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

News summary

Related websites
No Smoking Day news & related links (more)

Smokers more at ease talking to pharmacists about quitting

Almost 90 per cent of smokers would feel comfortable talking to a pharmacist about stopping smoking, findings from a new survey indicate. The survey, which involved nearly 500 smokers, also revealed that many people (40 per cent) believe that asking their general practitioner for advice about quitting is a waste of their doctor's time.

The survey was conducted on behalf of Pharmacia, manufacturer of the Nicorette range of products. In a statement issued by the company, Dr Chris Steele, a GP with an interest in smoking cessation, said: "These survey results are alarming in showing that consumers do not yet understand how much impact professional help and support can have on quitting successfully. Pharmacists can use this opportunity to be proactive in raising the consideration of stopping smoking with customers. It is important to approach the subject in the right manner by being positive about the benefits of quitting and asking if the customer would like to stop, rather than being negative about the habit and its impact on health."

No Smoking Day 2003 is on 12 March.