ROLE OF THE PHARMACISTS IN

1. PROMOTING A FUTURE FREE OF TOBACCO ROLE OF THE PHARMACISTS IN

2. INTRODUCTION TOBACCO • The cause of serious illnesses and many premature deaths. • The treatment of medical conditions induced by tobacco use is a major cost factor in health care. Pharmacists have a responsibility to help people who wish to do so, to give up smoking or otherwise using tobacco and to encourage others to do so. Pharmacists fully support the Tobacco-free Initiative of the WHO and its negotiations towards (successful initiative on) a comprehensive Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

3. PARTICIPATION OF THE FIP (I) RECOMMENDATIONS PHARMACEUTICAL ORGANISATIONS PHARMACISTS

4. PARTICIPATION OF THE FIP (II) PHARMACEUTICAL ORGANISATIONS (I) • Participate in the Tobacco-free Initiative of the World Health Organisation through the FIP and regional pharmaceutical forums. • Participate in other international coalitions and policy-making activities against tobacco. • Participate in national coalitions with initiatives against tobacco. • Participate in initiatives to produce national or international guidelines on evidence-based practices on the treatment of tobacco dependence.

5. PARTICIPATION OF THE FIP (III) PHARMACEUTICAL ORGANISATIONS (II) • Ensure that smoking is not permitted in pharmacies, that tobacco products are not sold in pharmacies, and strongly pursue the policy that pharmacies should not be located in premises in wich such products are sold.(The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has commented that the implementation of the final part of this recommendation would have major implications for the UK where many pharmacies are situated in supermarkets where tobacco products are sold. Presumably, however, this could still be the policy to be pursued). • Provide both basic and continuing education to pharmacists, pharmacy students and pharmacy assistantson tobacco use, associated health risks and quitting processes. (Pharmacy Guild of Australia). • Develop internal policies banning the use of tobacco within the organisation and provide support to help staff members to quit.

6. PARTICIPATION OF THE FIP (IV) PHARMACEUTICAL ORGANISATIONS (III) • Provide support services for members of the organisation who wish to quit. • Raise public awareness of health problems linked to use of tobacco by taking part in population-based programmes such as “Quit and Win” campaign and World No Tobacco Day. • Conduct surveys and research projects on the anti-tobacco activities of pharmacists and the services they provide to encourage people to quit.

7. PARTICIPATION OF THE FIP (V) INDIVIDUAL PHARMACISTS • Participate in accredited continuing education programmes on tobacco use, associated health risks and quitting processes, to equip them to lead cessation programmes. • Provide services to those who wish to quit the use of tobacco, the services to include group and individual cessation programmes. • Lead and participate in multidisciplinary professional group cessation programmes where they are initiated in their local areas. (American Society of Health Care Pharmacists). • Participate in media campaigns designed to highlight the dangers of use of tobacco and to help people to quit. • Provide a lead by being free of tobacco themselves. (Chinese Pharmaceutical Association).