NHS offers 'improved' stop-smoking pill varenicline

The NHS is set to provide a new and enhanced stop smoking medication to many thousands of individuals in England looking to give up cigarettes.

According to NHS England, varenicline, which is taken once a day for a few months, works just as well as vaping and is even more effective than nicotine gum or patches.

The medication designed to reduce cravings was previously offered through the NHS under the name Champix. However, it was taken off the market because of certain impurities. A new formulation has now been deemed safe and received approval.

Officials stated that local NHS stop smoking services will occasionally provide e-cigarettes, typically in the form of a starter pack containing roughly two weeks' supply of vapes.

Varenicline is a medication that requires a prescription, so it isn't available for purchase at pharmacies or supermarkets. To obtain it, individuals must consult their doctor or visit an NHS stop smoking service.

It helps by decreasing the urge to smoke and preventing nicotine from affecting the brain. Additionally, it assists with withdrawal symptoms like irritability and trouble sleeping.

According to NHS England, when combined with behavioral support like counseling, it has been found to assist roughly 25% of individuals in quitting smoking for a minimum of six months.

According to a study conducted by University College London, this initiative could assist over 85,000 individuals in quitting smoking annually and could help avert approximately 9,500 deaths related to smoking within the next five years.

Approximately one out of every eight adults in the UK, which amounts to six million individuals, smoke.

Last year, over 400,000 people were hospitalized in England due to issues related to smoking.

Every year, the NHS invests about £2.5 billion to address health problems related to smoking, making it the primary source of avoidable diseases and fatalities.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting stated, "Introducing this pill could save the NHS millions, reduce appointment wait times, and ultimately save lives by allowing other patients to receive care more quickly."

During the NHS Providers annual conference, Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of the NHS, announced the introduction of a new drug that could significantly help individuals looking to stop smoking. She described it as a potential "game-changer" for those seeking to quit.

Because e-cigarettes aren't approved as medications, general practitioners cannot prescribe vapes to individuals looking to stop smoking unless there is a specific NHS program in place in their area that allows for it.

Certain local governments provide e-cigarettes to individuals trying to stop smoking.

Experts advise individuals to consider using a certified smoking cessation medication as the first option, although e-cigarettes are also acknowledged as a helpful tool in quitting smoking.

Vaping is significantly less harmful compared to smoking cigarettes.

Nonetheless, it isn't completely without risks, and health professionals advise that individuals should only consider vaping as a means to quit smoking.

Hazel Cheeseman, the CEO of Action on Smoking and Health, noted that the availability of services varies significantly.

She mentioned that anyone who smokes should have access to the best treatment options available to help them quit, no matter where they live.

Increasing the availability of varenicline would be a beneficial move in the fight against the countless deaths linked to smoking. Nevertheless, simply introducing a medication won't change smoking habits on its own. It’s essential to have support services in place for smokers and medical professionals who can prescribe these treatments.

The NHS has effectively established in-hospital assistance to aid individuals in their efforts to quit smoking, which works alongside the support available in the community.

"However, there are still areas across the country where access to services is inconsistent. Many local NHS organizations are struggling to manage their finances, which puts these services at risk."

Professor Nick Hopkinson, who teaches respiratory medicine at Imperial College London, stated that varenicline is the "most effective medication for quitting smoking."

He mentioned that its absence for the past few years has been a significant issue, stating, "We understand that stopping smoking is the most beneficial action anyone who smokes can take to enhance their own health and the health of those around them, particularly young children and adolescents."

Individuals are more likely to succeed in quitting if they receive both counseling support and medication that can reduce their cravings and aid in overcoming their reliance on tobacco.

He mentioned that individuals can find assistance on the NHS Smokefree website and should talk to their doctors about varenicline, particularly if they haven't been able to stop smoking effectively with other methods such as nicotine patches or gum before.