Tech Refresher on smoking cessation: How techs can help patients butt out

Although tobacco usage in Canada has declined significantly since the 1960s when close to 50% of Canadians 15+ years old smoked, it still poses a major health risk. According to the Canadian Pharmacists Association, 12% of Canadians aged 15 and older reported smoking in 2022, which is a “sobering statistic” that highlights the ongoing need for comprehensive smoking cessation efforts.In an on-demand webinar titled “Clearing the Air: Almost everything you know about smoking cessation is changing,” presenter Michael Boivin of CommPharm Consulting cites Health Canada statistics indicating that tobacco use is “the leading preventable cause of premature death in Canada.” Since 2000, cigarettes have killed more than one million people in Canada, and about 125 Canadians die every day of a smoking-related illness. Read: QUIZ: Can you burn through these questions on smoking cessation?Most people who use tobacco want to quit, notes Boivin, but only 4% are able to do so with willpower alone. That’s where pharmacists—and pharmacy technicians—can help guide patients toward long-term success in quitting tobacco.As a first step, technicians can collect information to identify tobacco users. Boivin suggests asking questions such as: “In the past month, have you smoked any type of tobacco?” “We regularly check the smoking status of our patients, as some drugs have interactions with tobacco smoke. Do you use any tobacco products or any products containing nicotine?” If the patient answers yes, the technician can inform them that there are interventions that can help, says Boivin, and refer them to the pharmacist for smoking cessation counselling. The results can be dramatic. “Counselling advice lasting three minutes or less increased the likelihood of smoking cessation and abstinence rates by 40%,” says Boivin. The pharmacist may offer pharmacotherapy, including Nicotine Replacement Therapy (i.e., patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, nasal spray), varenicline or bupropion, among other options.Read: New Canadian guideline provides evidence-based options for smoking cessationPharmacy technicians can also play an important role in following up with patients who are beginning/undergoing smoking cessation therapy. Boivin says that ideally all patients should be followed up in one week, as this is a common time to relapse, and then again within 30 days. “Follow-up does not have to take long. It can be done in-person, by phone, text, and whatever works for the patient,” he says. The technician should explain what information they are gathering and why, to report these responses to the pharmacist who will determine if adjustment of plan is required. The pharmacist will also determine frequency of follow-up based on previous cessation rates, patient preference, tobacco use and patient factors. Boivin suggests asking patients open-ended questions, such as how they have been coping with the stop-smoking treatment, whether they have been able to take the treatment as prescribed, and if they are having any problems managing withdrawal symptoms and triggers. As part of the follow-up, the technician can provide ongoing support, including non-pharmacological tips to help patients curb withdrawal symptoms (e.g., exercise, avoiding caffeine, focusing on a hobby) and avoid triggers, such as situations where they are around people who use tobacco or places where they usually used tobacco or bought tobacco products. After consulting with the pharmacist, the technician can schedule the next follow-up appointment.Smoking cessation resourcesPharmacy technicians can provide patients with handouts and/or links to trusted resources.Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA): a comprehensive list of community resources for patients, including Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Lung Association, Health Canada, and more, at Community Resources - English; part of CPhA’s “Break the Habit” smoking cessation toolkit.Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Smoking Cessation: Resources for patients and families, including brochures and handouts for patients, at Smoking Cessation: Tools & Resources.Government of Canada: links to services to quit smoking in each province and territory, at Quitting smoking: Provincial and territorial services - Canada.ca.This article appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of Tech Talk. Find it and other Tech Talk issues here.

Tech Refresher on smoking cessation: How techs can help patients butt out

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