MAIN SPONSOR SYMPOSIUM: Harm Reduction Re-Visited: The Why? The How? and The What? - Where possible, should all interventions lead to complete cessation? This symposium is organised and funded by Pfizer Ltd.
Presenter(s)
Dr Alex Bobak GPwSI and GP / Senior Partner, Wandsworth Medical Centre, London
Professor David Taylor Emeritus Professor of Pharmaceutical and Public Health Policy, University College London
Tina Williams Project Director, Development & Training for Tobacco Free Futures, Manchester
Abstract
It is well known that smoking is the main cause of preventable illness and premature death contributing to a wide range of smoking related illnesses and that getting people to quit smoking is crucial in preventing other people from taking up the habit.
The best way to reduce smoking related illnesses and deaths is to stop smoking with national guidance suggesting that in general, stopping in one step or “abrupt quitting” offers the best chance of lasting success. However in people unable to stop abruptly, there are other ways of reducing the harm from smoking, even though this may involve continued use of nicotine.
During this interactive symposium session, smoking cessation experts Dr Alex Bobak, Professor David Taylor & Tina Williams will provide an overview of ‘Harm Reduction’ as part of the ‘Quit Attempt’ – The Why, where possible, all interventions including ‘harm reduction’ should lead to cessation?; The How? – Intervention options for achieving ‘harm reduction’ and complete cessation’ and their evidence base; and, the What? – What strategies, tools and resources support ‘harm reduction’ as part of the quit attempt?
Source of funding: This symposium is organised and funded by Pfizer Ltd.
CHA1871d June 2015
