Though thousands of Ontarians will attempt to quit smoking this year, on average, it will take five attempts to quit before achieving success.
Further, only 10 per cent of smokers will actually manage to permanently quit on their own.
“Don’t look at it as failure, because each attempt to quit is one step closer to being smoke-free,” said Deb Saltmarche, chair of the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA). “It’s important to have the right support as you try and quit smoking, and your local pharmacist can be part of that support system.”
Pharmacists are well-positioned within the health care system to help patients in their efforts to quit smoking. Aside from the many direct health-related impacts, tobacco use can change the effects of many medications, leading to drug interactions or problems with a patient’s medication therapy. Pharmacists are trained to provide all aspects of smoking cessation support – from behavioural counselling to recommendations and prescription of some smoking cessation medications (when necessary).
Smoking by the Numbers
– $1.6 billion: the estimated cost of smoking to the province in direct health care costs;
– $4.4 billion: the cost of lost productivity to the economy due to smoking-related illnesses;
– 500,000: the number of estimated hospital stays in Ontario because of smoking-related illnesses;
– $360 million: health care savings over the next 30 years if the pharmacy-based smoking cessation program is expanded to include all Ontario smokers who want to quit;
– 8,400: the number of Ontarians who have had a first consultation with a pharmacist as part of the pharmacy-based smoking cessation program; and
– 28: the percentage of smokers who have already quit successfully through the pharmacy-based program.
“You can start seeing the benefits of quitting smoking within eight hours, and after one year of being smoke-free, your risk of a smoking-related heart attack is cut in half. That is significant,” said Saltmarche.
Pharmacists are available to provide one-on-one support, setting patients up with a proper quit plan and the tools necessary to stay smoke free.
What to expect from a
smoking cessation program
Any Ontario smoker who is ready to commit to quitting can speak to their pharmacist about programs that are best suited for them.
And since September 2011, all Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) patients who smoke are eligible to enroll in a government-funded, pharmacy-based smoking cessation program that provides:
– initial assessment and consultation;
– follow-up appointments;
– counselling and support;
– tools and resources; and
– advice on prescription drug therapy options and smoking cessation aids (when necessary).
“There are many adverse health consequences associated with smoking, which is why it is imperative that Ontarians take advantage of the support systems available,” said Saltmarche.
“I would encourage any smoker who is ready to quit to work with their local pharmacist and set a quit plan that works for them. It’s a great New Year’s resolution and a step in the right direction for a healthier future.”
For more information on a pharmacy-based smoking cessation program that is right for you, visit www.opatoday.com, or talk with your local pharmacist.
