Spain strengthens training for pharmacists in smoking cessation support

Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of illness, disability, and death. Spain is no exception, and smoking is responsible for more than 50,000 premature and preventable deaths there each year. Despite a relative decrease in consumption, the prevalence remains very high, with 25.8 million daily smokers, according to the report "Smoking Cessation: A Health and Social Challenge," jointly produced by the General Council of Official Orders of Pharmacists (CGCOF) and the Spanish Ministry of Health. Both institutions emphasize the need to mobilize all healthcare professionals in the prevention and management of smoking cessation.[1].

In this context, the CGCOF, in collaboration with the Sub-Directorate General for Health Promotion, Prevention and Equity of the Ministry of Health, is offering a free online training course entitled "Managing Smoking Cessation in Primary and Community Care." It will run from January 11 to April 12, 2027. The objective is to strengthen the role of pharmacists in supporting people who want to quit smoking, to raise their awareness of the consequences of active and passive smoking, and to enable them to better understand the various interventions available, their effectiveness, and the medications used to help with cessation.

A 30-hour program dedicated to weaning strategies

The training program comprises three modules, totaling 30 hours of instruction. First, an introduction and general aspects of smoking: epidemiological data, definitions, and a presentation of the different tobacco products and their components. Then, intervention in smoking cessation: presentation of the protocol of the Spanish health promotion and prevention strategy within the national health system, the "5 A's" method (research, advise, assess, assist, and follow up), and various support methods. Finally, intervention with specific populations: adapting care based on age, socioeconomic status, and the presence of chronic illnesses.

Participants will have access to theoretical content, educational videos, analytical exercises, clinical cases, and practical examples. The training will be accessible online at any time and from various devices. Accreditation with the Continuing Education Commission for Healthcare Professions of the Community of Madrid is still pending.

The role of pharmacists in the success of smoking cessation

According to the report published in June 2026, 67.7% of smokers considered quitting smoking and 44.1% attempted to do so at least once during the year preceding the survey.

The document indicates that intervention by a community pharmacist can double the chances of successful smoking cessation, and triple them when combined with medication. It also highlights the cost-effectiveness of interventions conducted in community pharmacies, reinforcing the importance of appropriate training and coordination with other primary care professionals.

An institutional partnership to strengthen prevention

The report and training are part of an agreement signed in February 2026 between the Spanish Ministry of Health and the CGCOF (General Council for the Fight Against Smoking). This agreement provides for the development of joint actions to prevent and combat smoking. The partnership aims in particular to strengthen the contribution of community pharmacies to smoking cessation through the training of professionals, health education campaigns, and studies designed to evaluate the effects of their interventions.

This Spanish initiative is part of a similar trend observed in France, where the Smoking Cessation Training (FAST), launched in April 2024 by the University of Lorraine with the support of the Grand Est Regional Health Agency (ARS Grand Est), aims to strengthen the skills of healthcare professionals in supporting smoking cessation. Free and accessible online, FAST offers personalized training programs of approximately three hours for doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, dentists, and physiotherapists.

In Spain, the announced training program stands out with its 30-hour course specifically designed for pharmacists, which delves into smoking cessation strategies and adapting care to different patient populations. These two initiatives illustrate the importance of training healthcare professionals to strengthen prevention and support for smokers, an issue particularly highlighted each year during No Smoking Month in November.

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[1]The farm is prepared to reforzar its paper in the tabáquica cessation of the Primary Attention, El Global Farma, published on October 13, 2026, accessed on October 14, 2026

National Committee Against Smoking |