QUITTING smokers are to be offered one-to-one help to kick the habit at their local pharmacies in an effort to help thousands stick to their New Year's resolutions.
They will be offered personal assessments at 180 community chemists in a move which will ease the strain on GPs' surgeries.
The pharmacist will question smokers about their habit before drawing up a 12-week action plan, which can include prescribi
ng nicotine replacement therapy. If that doesn't work, the chemist can refer the smoker on to more specialist NHS services.
The scheme was officially launched at the Lindsay and Gilmore Pharmacy in Stockbridge, where community pharmacist Alan Berry said: "We know it isn't easy to stop smoking so we are offering this service to improve access and give people a greater opportunity to kick the habit.
"The service offers advice and support in a way that is quick and convenient to our community."
It is hoped the idea of popping into a high street pharmacist will encourage busy workers who are reluctant to take time out to see their GP or trouble them with anything other than serious ailments.
Research shows those who try to quit with some kind of expert support are twice as likely to succeed than those who try alone.
NHS Lothian's smoking cessation co-ordinator Helena Connelly said: "We want to provide a service which will meet the needs of our diverse population and the expansion of our stop smoking services into community pharmacies is an excellent addition, which I am sure will be welcomed by those trying to quit smoking."
The latest project is one of many which have shifted responsibility into community pharmacies.
A pilot scheme is ongoing in two city chemists offering impromptu check-ups, while more powers have also been passed on in recent years to offer prescriptions.
That has seen a swell in pharmacy applications, with 20 being made in the last two years.
The health board's director of pharmacy, Pat Murray, added: "The community pharmacist is providing an increasingly important role to the local population as the range of pharmacy services grow and expand.
"Our community pharmacists will offer confidential advice to people, which will include assessing addiction to nicotine, smoking habit and motivation to quit."
HOW TO GIVE UPNicotine patch: Gradually releases nicotine into the system in a bid to wean the smoker off without the need to smoke.
Nicotine gum: Chewing gum which works on a similar basis to nicotine patches, except releases the small amounts of nicotine through the gum.
Hypnotherapy: A fairly extreme approach which literally involves a hypnotist instructing you never to smoke again.
Cold turkey/will power: The most popular method and one of the toughest, where all nicotine intake is halted abruptly.
Self help groups: Where you can meet other smokers and discuss the best way to quit. Also offers much peer support.
