The desire to quit
Considering these statistics, it should come as no surprise that many smokers wish to be ex-smokers. According to the NHS Information Centre, 67 per cent of smokers want to quit and 75 per cent have tried to give up at some point in the past. The good news is that it's never too late.
Regardless of the age of the smoker or how long they've had the habit, there are always benefits to quitting. The Government's Healthy Lives, Healthy People report states that if a person stops smoking at the age of 30, they will gain 10 years of life and if they stop at 50, they can expect to gain six years. Smokers often try to quit multiple times before they are successful.
Figures suggest that those who attempt to be tobacco-free using the NHS Stop Smoking Service are more likely to abstain than those who try to quit without any behavioural or pharmacological therapy. When it comes to quitting, however, there is no guaranteed path to success. Just as the reasons and ways people smoke vary, so do the techniques that will help them to stop.
Reflective exercise
Sue, 32, is a regular customer in the pharmacy. One day, she comes in to buy an ovulation test kit, having recently been repeatedly purchasing OTC cough medicines for a chesty cough. Sue is a smoker and admits her habit may be the cause of her persistent cough. She appears vaguely aware of the risks of smoking during pregnancy. However, she finds the prospect of quitting overwhelming.
What would you recommend?
Approach the conversation with sensitivity and understanding. Show Sue the various ovulation kits available and explain how to use them. Research suggests that some women struggle to conceive if they smoke and are at greater risk of suffering complications during labour, as well as an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth and low birth weight. Advise Sue that she may find quitting less daunting if she cuts back gradually rather than stopping abruptly. Give her information on smoking cessation, the various nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products available and how to manage cravings.
What if:
Sue returns to the pharmacy several weeks later saying she has been trying to cut down on smoking but is struggling as her mother often comes round in the evenings and encourages them to have a cigarette together. Sue thinks that an NRT product that she can hold in her hand may make it easier for her to overcome her cravings. She adds that her mother is shortly leaving for Australia to visit her other daughter's family for three months.
What would you recommend?
Praise Sue for attempting to quit. The next three months offer a good opportunity for her to make a serious attempt to quit without her mother's pressure. Show Sue a nicotine inhalation device and explain how to use it. Explain that the nicotine is absorbed through the mouth, rather than the lungs.
What if:
Sue mentions that she occasionally gets sudden, strong cravings for a cigarette and asks if there is anything available to curb her cravings quickly. Recommend that Sue tries either gum, lozenges or oral strips when she experiences breakthrough cravings. Explain the suitability and potential adverse reactions associated with each of these, and explain that they are all suitable for use alongside other NRT products.