Stop smoking services unlikely to meet targets
NHS smoking cessation services are unlikely to meet the Government’s
targets for reducing smoking prevalence in England, a study published
online suggests (BMJ Online First PDF (50K)).
In 2003–04, smoking cessation services in Northumberland and Tyne
and Wear reduced smoking rates by 0.1–0.3 per cent. This rate of
reduction would be unlikely to reduce prevalence in the region by more
than 0.8–2.4 per cent by 2010, the research suggests.
The author of the study, Eugene Milne, deputy medical director, Northumberland
Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority, argues that, because current
targets do not propose a narrowing of the health inequality gap between
rich and poor areas, Government targets themselves are insufficient for
the poorest communities.“To narrow health gaps in England it is
not sufficient simply to be better at delivering smoking cessation,” Dr
Milne says. “Bupropion and nicotine replacement are among the most
cost effective of all health care interventions, but comprehensive restriction
of smoking in all workplaces works better. Both are needed and deprived
areas need more of both.”
Miriam Armstrong, chief executive of PharmacyHealthLink, told The
Journal that research consistently demonstrates that smokers from lower socioeconomic
groups are more pharmacologically nicotine dependent than others and
need more support to help them stop successfully, which may create a
role for pharmacists. “To help reduce the inequalities gap, the
NHS stop smoking services could use pharmacists to help treat less dependent
smokers and thus focus their own resources more on targeting and supporting
the smokers who need more help to stop,” she explained. |
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