October 13th 2026

By Ailsa Colquhoun

DDA updates Stopping Smoking dispenser training

Did you know that just over 50 years ago around half of men and 40 per cent of women in the UK smoked?

It’s great news that now just around one in 10 adults are smokers. However, that still means more than five million UK adults and around five per cent of those aged 11-17 years of age smoke, putting themselves, and the people around them, at risk of early death and preventable illness. In the UK, it is estimated that smoking kills 80,000 people each year.

By the end of this article you will:

• Understand how smoking affects the individual and the society in which they live
• Recognise why quitting can be difficult
• Be aware of your role in encouraging and helping smokers to quit
• Know what smoking cessation treatments are available
• Be aware of dispensing best practice in offering smoking cessation.

Throughout this training, you will find various activities to help reinforce your learning. Ten, multiple choice questions at the end will help you identify any areas needing a quick recap. There is also a certificate of completion for your CPD records.

DDA members can access the free resources in the online library of Dispenser Education Modules