The role of pharmacotherapy in assisting smoking cessation

Tobacco use represents the single most important preventable health hazard world-wide. Its consumption confers substantially increased mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory disease, and malignancy in a number of sites. A key goal towards improving public health in developing and developed countries alike is to reduce tobacco use across populations. Despite this, current data suggest that global tobacco use is increasing. There have been recent pharmacological advances that offer the hope of achieving more effective tobacco cessation and reduced consumption among established tobacco users. These are discussed in further detail, with reference to evidence supporting their use in clinical practice.