More than half (55 per cent) of smokers say they want to be both tobacco and nicotine free and four in 10 (43 per cent) are looking to pharmacists to provide the advice they need on smoking cessation, according to new research commissioned by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health EMEA (J&J).

The research also found that people’s interest in smoking cessation is increasing, with 28 per cent of UK smokers citing Covid-19 as the main reason for quitting. Evidence from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested that smoking is associated with increased severity of disease and death in hospitalised Covid-19 patients.

According to an independent review of evidence by Cochrane in 2019, sessions with trained pharmacy personnel more than doubled successful smoking cessation, when compared with either no support or lower intensity support. The review also showed that interventions were both cost-effective and valued by smokers looking to quit.

In addition, according to J&J’s own previous research, more than eight out of 10 pharmacists are interested in the management and treatment of smokers looking to quit.

“We know that community pharmacy delivered behavioural intervention and support, together with pharmacotherapeutic advice, is invaluable for smokers wishing to quit,” said Dr Mark Watt MD, medical affairs senior director at J&J. “With more and more smokers trying to quit, pharmacists have a vital role to play.”