This is a response to an article by Professor Stephen Leeder: An MBS item to counsel smokers? It’s just a load of smoke

For decades, GPs have been giving “firm advice to stop smoking” and of course, very many smokers (but not enough), have been able to quit.

This is because the majority of smokers over the last 50 years, have not been addicted and only needed a price hike, public education or a nagging wife, kid or GP to stop.

It is correct that Dr Michael Russell’s 1979 BMJ research shows 5.1% of smokers are able to stop with advice, as well as a leaflet and a warning that they will be followed up.¹ Later research also shows that adding one 21 mg nicotine patch increases quit rates by a further 6%.