Pharmacy Unscripted - Smoke Free Flashcards
What is the target set by government to be smoke-free by in England?
By 2030
What is smoke free for England defined as?
smoke-free is being defined as less than five per cent of the adult population smoking tobacco with smokers either quitting or moving to reduced risk products, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, or smoking alternatives, e.g. e-cigarettes.
Which groups are smoking rates higher?
remain high in areas of deprivation, among people who identify as LGBTQ* and people living with mental health conditions.
Why do smokers continue to smoke - what do they become dependent on?
Nicotine. While nicotine is the addictive substance in cigarettes, it is some of the thousands of other chemicals in cigarette smoke that cause almost all the damage.
What should also be offered alongside services like the boots stop smoking clinic etc??
All of these options are more successful if behavioural support is also offered.
What is harm reduction when applied to smoking?
Is about using alternative methods to deliver nicotine without the toxic chemicals associated with cigarettes.
Who may harm reduction in terms of smoking be helpful for?
for people who:
May not be able (or do not want) to stop smoking in one step
May want to stop smoking, without necessarily giving up nicotine
May not be ready to stop smoking, but want to reduce the amount they smoke.
Why is NRT better than normal cigarettes?
Nicotine levels in licensed nicotine-containing products, such as NRT, are much lower than in tobacco, and the way these products deliver nicotine makes them less addictive than smoking tobacco. NRT is therefore an effective way of reducing the harm from tobacco for both the person smoking and those around them.
What is E-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI)?
(EVALI)11 is an inflammatory response in the lungs triggered by inhaled substances, which can lead to serious illness and even death.
Are THC or Vitamin acetate permitted in UK e-cigarettes?
Neither THC or vitamin E acetate are permitted in UK e-cigarettes, which are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Are E-cigarettes licensed medicines?
e-cigarettes are not licensed medicines and so cannot make claims to help someone stop smoking. When speaking to customers, you should make it clear that e-cigarettes are to be used as an alternative to smoking.
When selling nicotine-containing e-cigarettes what should you explain to customers?
Although these products are not licensed medicines, they are regulated by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016
Many people have found them helpful to quit smoking, although they can’t make marketing claims for this
People using e-cigarettes should stop smoking tobacco completely
The evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are substantially less harmful to health than smoking but are not risk-free
The evidence in this area is still developing
What is the age restriction for E-cigarettes?
cannot be sold to anyone under 18 years old
How many quit attempts can it take before someone quits?
It may take 30 or more quit attempts before being successful
What advice can you give to someone who is planning to give up smoking?
Encourage your customers to:
Make a plan – set a date and stick to it.
Advise them that they may want to think about any upcoming events and occasions that may be challenging and have a plan for how they will deal with these
Identify when they are likely to crave cigarettes and plan some coping strategies – cravings generally last approximately five minutes
Get moving – a review of scientific studies has proved exercise, even a five minute walk or stretch, may reduce cigarette cravings13
Get some support – give up with a friend or family member or find a local stop smoking service to access for support.
