A DAILY pill to help thousands of smokers in England has been introduced by National Health Service (NHS).

Named varenicline, the pill tackles nicotine cravings while also combatting withdrawal symptoms like irritability and sleeping issues. Varenicline is created by pharmaceutical company Teva UK - is the generic version of a previously used branded pill called Champix, which was withdrawn in 2021 after an impurity was discovered.

Dr. Sarah Upson, a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at Faculty of Science and Technology and Programme lead, BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences at Bournemouth University talks about Varenicline being reported in many scientific literature as on of the most effective treatment to help reduce smoking.

"The availability of varenicline, an anti-smoking pill, could be a breakthrough in terms of smoking cessation treatments, and it has the potential to have a positive effect on many people’s lives", Dr Sarah. 

According to Smoking Statistics by Action on Smoking and Health, About one out of every eight people in the UK smokes (11.9%).

“I have been smoking since 1999, I am 43 years old. I have tried to quit but couldn’t. I didn't like the nicotine patch. I don't think this pill is any better than the nicotine patch. I like to do it myself and take my time to stop smoking, reduce it slowly”, said Muhammed Fagbemi. Muhammed is originally from London and has moved to Bournemouth four years ago.

Dr Sarah mentions this drug shouldn’t be seen as an alternative for lifestyle changes and proactive behavioural change to help reduce smoking.

"It still remains key that patients are able to explore their treatment options within this service, especially considering the NHS has reported that the drug is effective when used alongside counselling support for behavioural change."

According to research by University College London, this pill could help more than 85,000 people stop smoking each year, it said, and might prevent around 9,500 smoking-related deaths over the next five years.

Mike James, 30, came from Ghana came to study in Bournemouth University. He thinks that UK smoking culture is very prevailing and harmful. “I have noticed everyone smokes, its kind of trend here and not good for health.”

“I know it's not easy to stop someone from smoking. You can't just stop it. It takes a long time. This pill will might turn out to be helpful for people”.

The medicine, Varenicline, is only can be bought by people through prescription. A person must visit their GP or NHS to get it.