The NHS is rolling out a new pill that can save thousands of lives by helping to stop people smoking.
Set to be offered to tens of thousands of smokers every year, varenicline has been proven to work just as well as vapes when it comes to getting people to stop smoking, whilst also being more effective than nicotine-replacement gum or patches.
The pill works by reducing people’s nicotine cravings, blocking its effect on the brain and helping withdrawal symptoms such as irritable feelings or difficulty sleeping. Should the drug be implemented alongside behavioural support, it can help approximately one in four people to stop smoking for at least six months.
As the government works to create a smoke-free generation, the decision to roll out varenicline also supports the NHS’ push to provide more effective treatment for patients that can deliver more than £500 million in savings for the taxpayer.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting said:
“Prevention is better than cure. The rollout of this pill can save the NHS millions of pounds, save appointments to help other patients be seen faster, and save lives.
“Taken alongside our tobacco and vapes bill, the government and NHS are building a healthy society to help power a healthy economy.”
Research from the University College London estimates that use of the pill could help more than 85,000 every year to stop smoking, whilst its use over the next five years could prevent up to 9,500 smoking-related deaths. Around one in every eight UK adults smoke, with the habit more than 400,000 hospital admissions in 2022-23. Approximately one in six of all of the hospital admissions for respiratory diseases in that period were related to smoking, while it was also responsible for 8% of all cancer admissions and 7% of all admissions for cardiovascular diseases.
This has led to the NHS spending around £2.5 billion every year on treating the health issues that come as a result of smoking, making it the leading cause of preventable illness and death. Health issues that can stem from smoking include strokes, diabetes, heart disease, stillbirth and dementia.
Dr Ian Walker, Executive Director of Policy at Cancer Research UK, also commented:
“Smoking is the biggest cause of cancer in the UK and stopping completely is the best thing you can do for your health. It’s great news that the NHS is making varenicline an option for people trying to quit. Along with funding for cessation services, making tools like this available will help more people stop smoking.
“Around 160 cases of cancer are caused by tobacco every day in the UK, so it’s essential that action is taken to prevent people from smoking in the first place.”
The treatment will be offered alongside pharmacy and council-led stop smoking services nationwide, allowing smokers that want to quit to self-refer by visiting the NHS Better Health website.
Image credit: iStock
