Even in severe
COPD, smoking cessation slows progression
of the disease and improves survival (Qureshi,
2014). Intensive smoking cessation programmes
with pharmacotherapy are warranted. Brief
intervention counselling should be a routine
part of all clinicians’ skills, and signposting
patients to appropriate services can help them
to stop smoking. Pharmacotherapies such
as nicotine-replacement products and other
products including varenicline, bupropion and
nortriptyline have been shown to be of benefit.
Counselling by physicians and other health
professionals is also effective