“New year, new you” gets a fair bit of eye-rolling by mid-January, but there’s one resolution that consistently proves its worth: quitting smoking.
January is reliably the most popular month in the UK for quit attempts, as the fresh-start feeling of a new year gives people the push they’ve been waiting for.
The problem is that most quit attempts fail. Not because people lack willpower, but because they try to go it alone.
The good news is you don’t have to.
Right here in Wishaw, McMinns Pharmacy offers a fully supported, NHS-backed stop smoking service that gives you a genuinely better chance of quitting for good. Here’s what that support actually looks like.
Why quitting is worth it – and why it’s hard
The health case for quitting is well established: within just 20 minutes your heart rate starts to settle, within 72 hours your energy levels begin to improve, and within a year your risk of heart disease drops significantly compared to when you were smoking.
Over the longer term, quitting substantially cuts your risk of cancer, stroke, and lung disease.
But knowing all this rarely makes quitting easy.
Nicotine is highly addictive, and the habit side of smoking (the routines, triggers and cravings built up over years) can be just as hard to break as the physical dependency itself.
That’s exactly why structured support makes such a difference: it addresses both sides of the problem at once, rather than leaving you to manage cravings and willpower on your own.
What support is actually available at your pharmacy
This is often the bit people don’t realise: your local pharmacy isn’t just somewhere to pick up nicotine patches off the shelf.
At McMinns Pharmacy, we deliver NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way stop smoking service. This is a structured, 12-week programme combining medication with behavioural support, designed around what the evidence shows actually works.
A personalised quit plan. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, our team works with you to build a plan around your smoking habits, triggers, and previous quit attempts, so the support fits your life rather than the other way round.
Medication that suits you. Depending on what’s appropriate for you, this includes nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches, or varenicline tablets. These are both proven to significantly increase the chances of quitting successfully compared to going without any support at all.
Ongoing, structured check-ins. Rather than one conversation and good luck, the programme includes support at key points throughout your quit journey. These support checkins take place around your quit date, at four weeks, and again at twelve weeks. You’re never navigating a difficult moment without backup.
Carbon monoxide monitoring. We use CO monitoring throughout the programme, which gives you a tangible, visible way to track your progress as your levels improve. This is often a genuinely motivating moment for people partway through their quit attempt.
Extra support if you need it. If you’ve tried to quit through a pharmacy programme before without success, or you’re pregnant, or you have additional mental health considerations, NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way Specialist Service offers a more intensive level of support, which we can help refer you into.
Why a pharmacy-led approach works better than going it alone
Combining medication with behavioural support isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the approach the evidence consistently points to as most effective.
Nicotine replacement or varenicline helps manage the physical side of withdrawal, while regular check-ins with our team help you work through cravings, setbacks, and the habitual side of smoking as they come up.
Just as importantly, having somewhere to turn when a quit attempt gets difficult – rather than trying to will your way through a bad day – is often what separates a quit attempt that sticks from one that doesn’t.
How to get started
Starting is simple, and there’s no need for a GP referral.
Just get in touch with our team at McMinns Pharmacy, and we’ll talk you through the programme, help you choose the right kind of support for you, and set a quit date that works for you.
Whether “new year, new you” is genuinely your moment or you’ve been putting it off for a while, there’s no need to wait for January 1st specifically. The best time to start is whenever you’re ready.
Start your quit journey at McMinns Pharmacy
If 2027 is the year you’re finally quitting for good, our team is ready to support you every step of the way, from your first conversation right through to week twelve and beyond.
Book your quit smoking consultation online, call us on 01698 372 917, or pop into the pharmacy at 19 Main Street, Wishaw to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to see my GP before I can access stop smoking support at the pharmacy?
No. You can come to us directly. Our pharmacy team can talk through your options and get you started on the programme without needing a GP referral first.
Which is better, NRT or varenicline?
There’s no single right answer. This depends on your health history, previous quit attempts, and personal preference. Our team will talk through the options with you and recommend what’s likely to suit you best.
What if I’ve tried to quit before and it didn’t work?
That’s genuinely common, and it doesn’t mean this attempt won’t succeed. If you’ve had several unsuccessful attempts through a pharmacy programme, you may be eligible for NHS Lanarkshire’s more intensive Quit Your Way Specialist Service, which we can help refer you into.
This article is for general information and does not replace personalised medical advice. Speak to a pharmacist or your GP about which stop smoking support is right for you, particularly if you are pregnant or have existing health conditions.
Sources: NHS Lanarkshire: Quit Your Way Stop Smoking Service, McMinns Pharmacy: Smoking Cessation Wishaw