Pharmacists ride ‘Quit Wave’
October 25, 2013
Experts are challenging
pharmacists to make the most of
the coming “Quit Wave” following
the upcoming 12.5% tax rise on
cigarettes effective 01 December.
Research sponsored by J&J (the
marketers of Nicorette) shows 88%
of 110 pharmacists surveyed agree
the tax hike presents an opportunity
for pharmacy to support smokers’
quit efforts via proactive smoking
cessation counsel & tools.
71% however admitted they could
do more to prepare themselves for
the tax rise effect and the historically
predictable increase in consumer
attempts to quit.
Visiting expert Dr Hayden
McRobbie, Reader in Public
Health interventions at the Wolfson
Institute of Preventive Medicine,
Queen Mary University of London,
urged Australian pharmacists to take
a proactive stance.
Evidence shows that tobacco price
rises are a motivator for smokers
with the last tax excise in 2010
creating an almost 70% increase in
quitting activity.
“While tobacco price increases
are effective in prompting people to
quit, many will benefit from support
to help them stop,” says McRobbie.
The research has demonstrated
that of the >3 million Australian
smokers, 40 per cent of smokers
try to quit at least once each year,
but only 5 per cent manage to
permanently quit, with the costs
of smoking, along with the health
risks, being the top two concerns for
survey respondents.
Other key points emerging from
the research are that NRT doubles
success rates by reducing cravings
and withdrawal symptoms, making
NRT a first line recommended
treatment for those with nicotine
dependence.
Questions specifically relating to
Nicorette QuickMist showed that
it is the most preferred smoking
cessation product for over 70 per
cent of users with nearly two thirds
of users crediting it with helping
them quit for good, being especially
effective at managing the craving.
“Innovative NRT formats that
act quickly to address fast craving
relief are now available, providing
another opportunity for smokers,
who’ve struggled to give up in
the past, to give quitting a go,” Dr
McRobbie added.
“The role of pharmacists and
NRT cannot be underestimated,”
he concluded for the forthcoming
wave of quitters.
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