Why Professional Support Doubles Your Chance of Quitting Smoking

Pharmacy & Medications

Written by the Veritas Pharmacy clinical team. Address: 113 Chester Road, Sunderland. Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, registration number 9012617.

Most people who try to quit smoking do it alone, relying on willpower to see them through. It is a genuinely hard way to do it: unsupported attempts succeed in fewer than 5 percent of cases. Structured professional support changes those odds substantially.

Why willpower alone rarely works

Nicotine dependence is a genuine clinical condition, not simply a bad habit. Combining a quit date, nicotine replacement therapy or medication, and structured behavioural support gives considerably higher success rates than any of these alone. With this combined approach, success rates rise to 25 to 35 percent, several times higher than attempting to quit through willpower by itself.

What structured support actually involves

A proper quit programme starts with an initial assessment covering smoking history, motivation, and a carbon monoxide reading, from which a personalised quit plan is agreed. This typically includes a choice of nicotine replacement, such as patches, gum, inhalator, or spray, or prescription medication such as varenicline or bupropion where clinically appropriate, which carries a higher success rate than nicotine replacement alone.

Weekly check-ins follow, with carbon monoxide readings at each appointment to track progress and confirm smoke-free status objectively, rather than relying on self-report alone. Most patients who reach four weeks smoke-free go on to succeed long-term, which is why the early weeks of consistent support matter so much.

A slip does not mean failure. Many people who quit long-term had earlier attempts first. If you smoke during the programme, tell your pharmacist — the plan will be adjusted and the quit date reset if needed. Support, not judgement, is the point.

What the 12-week programme looks like

The programme typically runs across 12 weeks: the initial consultation and quit date in week one, weekly check-ins through the hardest early weeks, consolidation through weeks two to four as cravings begin to reduce significantly, and less frequent maintenance check-ins from week five onwards as confidence builds and smoke-free status is confirmed.

Ready to start? Same-day and next-day appointments are usually available.

Book your initial consultation — £50

Ongoing treatment and check-ins from £45. Or call 0191 503 4053. Address: 113 Chester Road, Sunderland, SR4 7HG.

Frequently asked questions about quitting smoking

Which NRT products are available?

A full range of nicotine replacement products is stocked, including patches, gum, inhalators, nasal spray, and lozenges. The pharmacist recommends the most appropriate product or combination based on smoking pattern.

Is prescription medication available?

Yes. Varenicline and bupropion can be prescribed where clinically appropriate by the prescribing pharmacist, carrying a higher success rate than nicotine replacement alone.

What if I slip up during the programme?

A slip does not mean failure. Many people who quit long-term had earlier attempts first. Tell the pharmacist — the plan is adjusted and the quit date reset if needed.

How much does the programme cost?

The initial consultation is £50 for a 30-minute appointment. Ongoing treatment and weekly check-ins are from £45. NRT products are available to purchase separately, and prescription medications carry a separate charge.

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