ABSTRACT
Smoking is the number one health problem in the UK. There is a great potential for smoking cessation in primary care. Researchers at Oxford University took into account data from a World Health Organization study and found that smoking was responsible for 19% of all deaths in the UK. Smoking cessation is of key importance, as this is the only intervention which slows down the rate of decline in lung function with time. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published guidance on the use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and bupropion in smoking cessation, recommending either treatment for smokers who have expressed a desire to stop smoking. NRT works on the principle that if they are provided with nicotine in a clean form, smokers can manage their withdrawal from smoking. Help 2 Quit was established in 1995. It is a nurse-led programme and, with proper training and support, can be easily adapted for use by the practice.
