-
Stopping Smoking: Front Shop Module 4, 2024
The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats facing humans, killing over 8 million people every year globally. Most smoking-related deaths are due to heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.
Tobacco smoking is, without doubt, the primary risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). South Africa also has one of the highest burdens of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, which are both risk factors for COPD and worsen the effects of smoking.
Tobacco smoking increases the risk of TB, cancer, pneumonia, heart disease and stroke.
The benefits of stopping smoking are almost immediate, with longer-term benefits including improved lung function and a reduced risk for lung cancer. Stopping smoking increases life expectancy by as much as a decade, is associated with clear health benefits and improves quality of life. However, many smokers have no desire to quit or have tried to quit before but failed.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently (2024) released its first-ever clinical treatment guideline for stopping tobacco smoking in adults.
This module discusses smoking, the benefits of stopping smoking, and the interventions recommended by the WHO and the South African smoking cessation guidelines. It also covers the medicines available in the pharmacy to help people stop smoking.
If you would like to participate in the PSSA/Alpha Pharm Pharmacy Staff Clinical Education Programme, please contact Gill or Glynis for further information at 011 706 6939 or email cpdalphapharm@insightmed.co.za.
