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This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.

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Australian Prescriber Vol. 28 No. 3 2005

Stopping smoking

Doctors, pharmacists and nurses try to help smokers to quit because smoking causes a lot of sickness. Smoking can lead to death from heart disease or cancer. Two-thirds of smokers will eventually die of a smoking-related disease. It is also an expensive habit.

To stop successfully the smoker must want to quit. While some people stop smoking easily many will need assistance and some will need medication.

Health professionals can give advice to help someone quit and there are telephone services that can provide support. The chances of quitting are increased if the telephone service calls the smoker every few weeks to see how they are getting on.

Quitline number   131 848