Sunday, March 28, 2010

Short counselling session with pharmacist improves smoker's odds of quitting

From the Regina Leader Post:
A few minutes of counselling from a pharmacist can dramatically improve the odds of a smoker butting out for good.

"Research shows that even brief counselling will improve a smoker's ability to quit," said Janice Burgess, director of Professional Practice for the Pharmacists' Association of Saskatchewan. "A brief intervention can be just three to five minutes where the pharmacist might ask you some questions to help determine how ready you may be to actually quit."

Through the Partnership to Assist With the Cessation of Tobacco (PACT) program, more than 300 Saskatchewan pharmacists in 60 communities are trained to help residents quit smoking.

PACT pharmacists can advise residents about medications to help them quit, strategies to help them reduce the amount they smoke and assess why they smoke.

The success rate for smokers who quit "cold turkey" and receive no medical treatment or counselling is five per cent. Success rises to 10 per cent with brief advice and jumps to 30 per cent if behavioural therapy is combined with medication, Burgess said. ...more

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