Smoking Cessation

The aim of the Smoking Cessation support service is to provide extended access through the NHS, including the provision of advice and smoking cessation products, in order to help smokers successfully stop smoking as part of the Public Health Service (PHS) element of the community pharmacy contract.

PCA (P) (2017)7 details the Smoking Cessation Service provided by Community Pharmacy and includes a pharmaceutical service specification for provision of this service.

The NHS AA Stop Smoking Guidance provides information for staff on medicines and services when undertaking Stop Smoking interventions. It is aimed at Community Pharmacy and Quit Your Way staff involved in stop smoking support and advice.

Products that can be prescribed in NHS AA Smoking Cessation Service can be found in the NHS AA Joint Formulary (NRT Formulary, p12).

Varenicline Supply

Resources and Support Material for Pharmacy Staff

Learning & Development for Pharmacy Teams

Registered staff should practice within their own competence whilst staff not attached to a governing body should be deemed confident by the Pharmacist before carrying out smoking cessation services.

  • NHS AA Lunch & Learn: Smoking Cessation Series
  • NHS Scotland Smoking Cessation Service module aims to support pharmacy teams in delivering an effective smoking cessation service.  It also aims to update pharmacy teams on developments in smoking cessation, together with updated evidence on the use of Varenicline.  The evidence provides information on the safety profile of Varenicline as well as information about the comparative success that can be achieved with different pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation.
  • Smoke Free Me, Smoke Free You – The Pharmacy Model Six eLearning modules which aim to provide information on the new Varenicline PGD and update knowledge of the smoking cessation options available through the pharmacy and how to record these interventions.
  • PHS Stop Smoking Learning Five eLearning modules designed to provide community pharmacy teams with the core knowledge and skills required to support smokers through the process of quitting smoking.

Quit Your Way (Ayrshire)

The Quit Your Way Team offer advice, support and information on smoking cessation to anyone trying to stop smoking, and are a valuable resource community pharmacy teams are encouraged to access. QYW (Ayrshire):

  • Provide Carbon Monoxide monitors
  • Provide any pharmacy in Ayrshire with additional smoking cessation training, on request.
  • Contact pharmacies, via clinical email, regarding any outstanding 4 and 12 week quits. This is to help maximise your pharmacies quit rates and income.
  • Available for Shared Care support if you feel a client may need additional support. They offer additional behavioural support via phone. Call QYW (Ayrshire) to organise.
  • Provide further support to pharmacy stop smoking clients by offering to take over their care after they have completed their 12 week smoking programme. If they need an additional few weeks support and access to additional NRT during this period, we can provide this. Call QYW (Ayrshire) to arrange.
  • Support clients who has tried to quit a few times with you but with limited success. Refer the client to QYW (Ayrshire) via the free phone number 0800 783 9132.

Quit Your Way (Ayrshire) Contacts