The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7445 p360
31 March 2007

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Consider role pharmacy can play helping smokers quit after ban in England and Wales

Pharmacy should play a key role in supporting the increased demand on smoking cessation schemes that will be generated by the smoking bans in England and Wales, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has declared.

Paul Gimson, the Society’s lead for long-term conditions and public health, spoke at a conference organised by the Welsh Assembly Government last week, ahead of the introduction of the Welsh ban on smoking in public places on 2 April. He explained how smokers benefit from pharmacy-based services because of their accessibility and the opportunistic nature in which they can be accessed.

Speaking after the conference, Mr Gimson said: “There are many examples of pharmacists providing a smoking cessation service that adds considerable value to existing service provision. Unfortunately, despite the compelling argument and results, these services are not provided consistently across the country and their role is not effectively integrated into the wider health service. The demand for smoking cessation services doubled in Scotland after their ban and we would urge those preparing for the bans in Wales and England to consider the role that pharmacy can play in meeting this demand.”