Stop Smoking
Smoking affects nearly every organ in the body and is a major cause of preventable illness in the UK. We provide clinically proven treatments and professional support.
Medically reviewed by Muhammad Abdul Jalil, Superintendent Pharmacist · GPhC Reg No: 2236161
Last reviewed
Overview
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the UK. Quitting smoking significantly reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Prescription medications can double your chances of quitting successfully.
Understanding Stop Smoking
Nicotine creates dependency by stimulating pleasure receptors in the brain. Health risks include: lung, throat, bladder, and cervical cancer, heart disease, stroke, and COPD.
Treatment & Prevention
Prescription medications: Champix (varenicline): a 12-week treatment that reduces nicotine cravings. Zyban (bupropion): reduces withdrawal symptoms. NRT options also available.
Select Your Treatment
Choose a treatment below then start your consultation. Our pharmacist will review and approve.
Tablet
TabletNot sure which treatment is right for you? Our pharmacist will review your answers and may recommend an alternative based on your health profile. You're not committed until approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about stop smoking and available treatments.
Related guides
Reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication.
- Quitting smoking with varenicline, week by week
What varenicline does, the week-by-week plan UK prescribers use, side effects to expect and how to give a quit attempt its best chance of sticking.
- New Year, no cigarettes: varenicline vs bupropion
Varenicline and bupropion are the UK's two prescription stop-smoking tablets. How they compare on effectiveness, side effects and who suits each.