title: The pharmacist's role in smoking cessation counseling: perceptions of users of nonprescription nicotine replacement therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize nonprescription nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) users with respect to sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco use history, and support for tobacco cessation received from health care professionals; assess the methods used for quitting (past and present) by NRT users; assess NRT users' perceptions of the need for and usefulness of pharmacist-facilitated cessation interventions; and determine the types of pharmacy-based interventions that would be most helpful before and during quit attempts.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-time attitudinal assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primarily Northern California.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred three individuals who had recently purchased nonprescription NRT products for use during their current or upcoming quit attempt.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth telephone interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perceptions of pharmacy-based tobacco cessation counseling services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concept of pharmacist-facilitated assistance was appealing to many NRT users. Sixty-three percent of participants believed that receiving advice or assistance from a pharmacist would either probably (46%) or definitely (17%) increase a smoker's likelihood of being able to quit. Twenty-one percent were unsure, and 16% thought pharmacist assistance would not increase the chance of success. Forty-six percent reported that they would be either very or extremely likely to meet with a pharmacist for one-on-one counseling if a nominal ($10) co-payment were required; this percentage increased to 68% if the service were provided free of charge. The preferred structure for counseling interventions varied widely among participants, suggesting that individually tailored counseling programs are necessary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A substantial proportion of nonprescription NRT users view pharmacist-assisted cessation as an appealing approach to smoking cessation.
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California-San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 420, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA. khudmon@itsa.ucsf.edu
authors: Karen Suchanek
authors: KS
authors: Hudmon
authors: Kymberli K
authors: KK
authors: Hemberger
authors: Robin L
authors: RL
authors: Corelli
authors: Lisa A
authors: LA
authors: Kroon
authors: Alexander V
authors: AV
authors: Prokhorov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D009538:Nicotine