Supporting smoking cessation

Summary points
- Throughout the world tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and illness
- As smoking rates in the general population fall in developed countries, a greater proportion of smokers have coexisting problems such as mental illness
- Cessation support from doctors and other health professionals increases quit rates
- Tobacco dependence is most effectively treated with a comprehensive approach involving behavioural support and pharmacotherapy
- Effective medicines include nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, bupropion, nortriptyline, and cytisine. The availability and registration of these medicines varies between countries