National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
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NICE approves varenicline for smoking cessation
NICE has today (25 July) issued guidance recommending varenicline (Champix) as an effective treatment for helping smokers to quit.
The recommendations are:
• Varenicline, within its licensed indications, is recommended as an option for smokers who have expressed a desire to quit smoking
• Varenicline should normally be prescribed only as part of a programme of behavioural support.
The new guidance on varenicline comes as smokers in England adjust to the workplace smoking ban which came into force this month. These recommendations are part of a suite of guidance being produced by NICE on the most effective methods of tackling smoking and what works to help people quit.
Andrew Dillon, Chief Executive of NICE and Executive Lead for this guidance, said: “Having looked at all the evidence, our independent Committee considered that varenicline is a good way to help people who want to quit smoking. The guidance also recommends that varenicline should normally be provided in conjunction with counselling and support, but if this type of support isn’t available, this should not stop smokers receiving treatment with varenicline.
We know that around 3 out of 4 smokers want to quit. Smoking is responsible for an estimated 106,000 deaths in the UK each year, and for a wide range of diseases and conditions including cancers, coronary heart disease, impotence and infertility. Alongside our existing guidance on how both primary care health professionals and employers can help people to stop smoking, these new recommendations on varenicline provide another option to assist those who want to give up.”
Notes to Editors
About the guidance
1. The varenicline for smoking cessation guidance is at http://guidance.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=350181
2. Previous NICE guidance on smoking cessation includes ‘Workplace smoking’ (www.nice.org.uk/phi5 , April 2007), and ‘Smoking cessation – brief interventions in primary care’ (www.nice.org.uk/phi1 , March 2006).
About NICE
3. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.
4. NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:
• public health – guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health for those working in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public and voluntary sector
• health technologies – guidance on the use of new and existing medicines, treatments and procedures within the NHS
• clinical practice – guidance on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS.
