Pharmacists in any practice setting can have an impact on guiding patients towards awareness and readiness to address the issue of smoking. While many smokers may not be ready to listen or to quit, it is a responsibility of all healthcare professionals to engage in a non-judgemental but unified message about the benefits of smoking cessation that can be considered when one is ready to move to the challenge of quitting.

All pharmacists need to ask the initial question to identify those who are smokers so that they can help their patients when the opportunity arises. This module will provide an overview of the concepts and approaches in the current management of smoking cessation by healthcare professionals. It is presented by Dr. Andrew Pipe, a well-known Ottawa physician, who is one of Canada’s foremost experts and advocates in smoking cessation.   

On Monday, August 22, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) announced that effective September 1, community pharmacists who provide smoking cessation services to Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) patients, will be eligible to receive funding for their expertise and professional services in this area.