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.

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.