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Tens of thousands of smokers in England will be offered an improved anti-smoking pill by the NHS to help them quit. NHS England has announced the rollout of a new generic version of Champix, called Varenicline, which has been proven to be as effective as vapes and more successful than nicotine replacement gum or patches. When used alongside behavioural support, such as counselling, the daily pill has been shown to help one in four smokers quit for at least six months. NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard called the introduction of Varenicline a "vital step in shifting NHS further towards prevention" and highlighted that it could be a "game-changer" for people who want to quit smoking. Speaking at the NHS Providers annual conference in Liverpool on Tuesday, she emphasised that smoking remains "one of the biggest public health issues facing the NHS."

Smoking is the most significant cause of preventable deaths in England, and the health risks associated with smoking well documented. This not only puts a heavy burden on the healthcare system but also has a substantial social impact. Its link to health inequalities is more evident because it is more prevalent amongst the most vulnerable in our society, with low educational attainment and poor socioeconomic status. Even as smoking rates progressively reduced, these patients remained the most difficultto reach with cessation services. Recent years have also seen many local authorities stop providing locally commissionedNHS stop smoking service, citing funding constraints. The postpandemic financial reckoning may yet see more strain on what is left in the coffers. The Healthy Living pharmacy ethos community pharmacy teams, proactively supporting patients to quit and advising on the best evidence-shaped approach, deliver successful outcomes.