Buffalo-Area Pharmacists Say No to Tobacco Sales in Pharmacies

BUFFALO — More than 75 percent of Western New York pharmacists say tobacco sales in pharmacies should be legally banned, according to research conducted by Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and the University at Buffalo (UB), published in BMC Research Notes. The study found that more than 86% of pharmacists surveyed would prefer to work in a pharmacy that does not sell tobacco products.

The research, led by James Marshall, PhD, Senior Vice President for Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences at RPCI, evaluated the opinions of Western New York pharmacists about the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies and about their role in helping their patients to stop smoking.

“The sale of tobacco products in pharmacies in any locality sends conflicting messages to consumers who visit pharmacies for medication or health products,” said Dr. Marshall. “Pharmacists, dedicated to protecting the health of their customers, recognize tobacco sales as contrary to their professional ethics. They would, in overwhelming numbers, prefer not to be selling cigarettes. This research will inform policymakers and elected officials as they consider regulations of tobacco sales in pharmacies.”

The 2010 survey evaluated opinions of 148 pharmacy mentors from the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UBSoPPS) and 345 local supervising pharmacists. Participants were contacted by mail and email. The combined response rate for both surveys was 31%.

The pharmacist’s role in assisting patients to stop smoking also was evaluated. The survey found that more than 75% of pharmacists say they “sometimes” or “rarely/never” ask about tobacco use. The majority of pharmacists also indicate that they are not required to document tobacco use among patients or to enter such information into patient records.

“A striking finding is that pharmacy mentors were more likely than supervising pharmacists to be familiar with patients’ tobacco use and take steps to offer advice and information about how to quit smoking,” said Peter Brody Jr., PharmD, Director of Experiential Education at UBSoPPS. “It was also surprising that area pharmacists seemed not to take full advantage of the opportunity to educate and counsel patients regarding tobacco use. We need to better understand why and do what we can to help correct this issue.”

“This research presents several interesting findings, including that the overwhelming majority of pharmacists would support legislation banning the sale of tobacco in pharmacies,” added Edward Bednarczyk, PharmD, Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at UB. “Importantly, this study also shows a considerable gap between theory and practice, with a substantial majority of pharmacists finding the sale of tobacco in pharmacies inappropriate, but doing little to prevent the sale or engage patients regarding tobacco use and smoking cessation.”

The study, Tobacco sales in pharmacies: a survey of attitudes, knowledge and beliefs of pharmacists employed in student experiential and other worksites in Western New York,” can be accessed at http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/5/413/abstract.

Support Available for Those Looking to Start New Year Tobacco-Free

BUFFALO, NY — There are close to 3 million smokers in New York State, and about three-quarters of them say they want to quit. A new advertising campaign will remind New Yorkers about the risks of smoking and the free, 24/7 services that can help them keep a resolution to quit tobacco for good.

The campaign consists of two television commercials that will air throughout January. The ads, Doesn’t Kill and Emphysema, show the physical damage cigarettes can cause to people who smoke. Local New Voice Club members who have had their voice box removed as a result of smoking are living examples of the impacts highlighted in the ads. “It’s very depressing to live like this,” says Joe Corbi, one of three New Voice Club members featured in companion videos. “It’s changed my life financially and emotionally, and has affected my family.”

The ads also direct smokers to the services available through the New York State Smokers’ Quitline (1-866-NY-QUITS). The Quitline, based at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), provides free quit coaching and nicotine patches to New York residents who want to stop smoking or using tobacco. The spots, along with companion videos featuring interviews with New Voice Club members who offer smokers quit advice and encouragement and share their experience of losing their ability to speak as a result of past tobacco use, can be viewed at the Quitline website: http://www.nysmokefree.com/Subpage.aspx?P=50&P1=5030.

“So many tobacco users are ready to quit and finally overcome their nicotine addiction at this time of year; support from friends family and the Smokers’ Quitline can make the difference in helping them quit for good,” says Andrew Hyland, PhD, Chair of RPCI’s Department of Health Behavior and Director of the New York State Smokers’ Quitline.

Services available through the Quitline include a free nicotine patch starter kit, quit coaching, self-help materials, motivational messages and daily tips. The Quitline can be reached at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (taped messages of support available in off-hours). An online smoke-free community is available 24/7 athttp://www.nysmokefree.org, and additional tips and resources can be found at http://www.facebook.com/NYQuits andhttps://twitter.com/nysmokefree.

The mission of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. RPCI, founded in 1898, was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or emailaskrpci@roswellpark.org.

Editor’s note: Experts from Roswell Park Cancer Institute and members of the New Voice Club of the Niagara Frontier are available to discuss cessation and the effects of tobacco use. Contact Annie Deck-Miller at 716-845-8593 or annie.deck-miller@roswellpark.org to schedule an interview.