My Quit Journey: Day One with the Varenicline Service

Published: 05/06/25

After 18 years of working on behalf of community pharmacy, I thought I had a decent grasp of what smoking cessation support looked like. But this week, I got to experience it from a different perspective, as a patient.

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I’ve been a smoker since the age of 15, and nicotine addiction has had a firm grip on my everyday life. I’ve tried to quit before (several times) using a variety of methods and techniques - from will power to Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) - and it has always ended in lighting up. This time, though, something feels different. Maybe it’s my wife & son, maybe it’s my health, or maybe it’s the newly updated Varenicline Service that’s available again in community pharmacies across Scotland.

Last week, I walked into my local community pharmacy. The team was busy helping patients, checking prescriptions, and giving clinical advice to those in their community. I waited my turn, then sat down with the pharmacist for my first Varenicline consultation.

I was asked to fill out a very simple form and we talked through my medical history, my smoking habits, my reasons for quitting, and what to expect from the treatment. There were no lectures, no judgment, just calm, clear guidance. I was surprised by how thorough the process was. The pharmacist explained how Varenicline works, what side effects to watch out for, and how the service would support me over the coming weeks.

I took my first tablet that afternoon. It felt like a small moment, but also a significant one. A line in the sand.

What struck me most wasn’t just the medication, it was the structure around it; the follow-up appointments, the check-ins, the encouragement. It’s not just about handing over medicine. It’s about walking with someone through a difficult change.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be back in the pharmacy regularly. I’ll be honest, I’m anxious. I know it won’t be easy. But I also know I’m not doing it alone.

This experience has given me a new appreciation for what community pharmacies offer. It’s not just about medicines, it’s about people.

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