Stop Smoking
Willpower alone won't always work
No more nicotine nightmares
Five healthy reasons to quit


If you're one of the many thousands of people who made a New Year resolution to stop smoking, but whose willpower has weakened, don't despair! Because just as your good intentions are going up in smoke, your local pharmacist comes to the rescue…

Willpower alone won't always work 

A lot of smokers fail in their attempt to quit, because they rely on willpower alone. Unfortunately, many smokers are addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes and willpower alone can't curb the nicotine withdrawal symptoms they experience when they go without their regular nicotine intake. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can include mood swings, sleeplessness, headaches, tiredness and a sore mouth or tongue - and they can often be unpleasant enough to make even the most determined person crave a cigarette!


No more nicotine nightmares 

Pharmacists know all about nicotine withdrawal symptoms – but more importantly, they know how they can be successfully overcome with the right nicotine replacement treatments, advice and support.

Nicotine replacement treatments can help to reduce the effects of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. There are several types of nicotine replacement product, but two of the commonest ones are patches and gum. Nicotine patches are generally worn on the arm, chest or back. The nicotine is slowly released from the patch and is absorbed through the skin. Nicotine gum is chewed and then kept in the mouth where the nicotine is absorbed through the cheeks.

Nicotine replacement products come in different strengths, so it's important to start with the right one and to have a plan for gradually reducing it. The right type of product and strength for you will depend on your smoking habits and history and your pharmacist can give you information about the products and help you decide which one is best for you.

Nicotine replacement products are not suitable for everyone, so always tell your pharmacist if you suffer from a medical condition or are taking any other medicines.


Five healthy reasons to quit 

Ask most smokers why they want to quit, and the chances are that they'll quote health as one of their main reasons. Quitting for the sake of your health is definitely the best reason of all, because the health benefits of quitting smoking start immediately: 


From the day you quit, your lungs will start to recover and you will be less short of breath. 

Within a year or two of quitting, you will halve your risk of a heart attack. 

Stay off cigarettes for 10 years, and you will halve your risk of getting lung cancer. 

After 15 years, your risk of getting a disease caused by smoking will be about the same as a lifelong non-smoker. 

As your health improves, so will your wealth, because a 20 a day ex-smoker will be around £1000 a year richer – and what could be better than being both healthy and wealthy!

The decision to quit smoking is the best decision you'll ever make – and with a bit of willpower and the full support of your local pharmacist you can succeed!