GPs are urging patients to book a consult with their regular GP to help overcome addiction to cigarettes, nicotine vaping products, and discuss other lifestyle challenges including diet and exercise.
It comes following reports that Queensland tops the list of all Australian state and territories when it comes to smoking cigarettes, nicotine vaping, and obesity rates.
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cathryn Hester reminded Queenslanders that your GP is always there to help.
"Help is at hand to quit smoking and vaping. A GP who knows you and your medical history is such a powerful ally for your future health," she said.
"We will listen carefully to what is happening in your life and help you find solutions to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Smoking and vaping, along with lifestyle factors such as a poor diet and lack of exercise, make it less likely that you will be able to enjoy a healthy future.
"We know that these lifestyle choices can result in a significantly higher likelihood of cancer, heart disease and stroke."
Dr Hester said GPs are well-equipped to help patients who smoke cigarettes or vape nicotine products.
"GPs have a host of strategies and medications at our disposal that can help," she said.
"Many people who quit vaping or smoking try this without counselling and medications, but we know that for anyone other than light consumers, it can be challenging to achieve. Having a chat with your GP can make it much more likely that you will be successful in quitting.
"Your GP can tailor a program of talking therapy, behavioural interventions, and pharmacotherapy. This includes nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, such as a transdermal patch or acute forms such as an oral spray, gum, inhaler, or lozenge.
"There is also a medication called varenicline, a drug that blocks the pleasure and reward response to nicotine and bupropion hydrochloride, which reduces the urge to smoke and helps with nicotine withdrawal. Using varenicline or combination NRT almost triples the odds of quitting nicotine and bupropion and NRT alone almost double the odds of quitting versus a placebo at six months.
"You don't have to go on this journey alone, having a GP provide this support can make all the difference in quitting. Similarly, when it comes to lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, we can provide useful tips and advice. This
includes social prescribing remedies such as trying a new sporting activity or joining a community group.
"We can also answer questions about diet, including what options are best for you. There is a lot of information online,
especially on social media, and it can be difficult to figure out what is credible versus misinformation. Your best bet is to book an appointment with your GP, and we can help you map out a sensible and safe plan for healthy eating and movement."
Dr Hester also called for reforms to help GPs care for patients experiencing addictions including to smoking and vaping.
"GPs in Queensland, and across Australia, are doing a tremendous job helping people quit harmful substances, including smoking and vaping; however, timely and sensible reforms would help us do even more," she said.
"As things stand, the Medicare rebates for health consults lasting over 20mins with a GP, which would be typical for a consult addressing substance use, are not adequately funded. A 40% increase in longer consult patient rebate items would help reduce costs for people trying to quit smoking or vaping."
Dr Hester said that the time to act was now.
"We must do more to help Queenslanders, and patients in all communities, quit smoking and vaping and improve their lifestyles," she said.
"Unfortunately, there are troubling signs. For many years, Australia was the envy of many countries around the world in
terms of tobacco control and smoking rates. We halved daily smoking from 24% in 1991 to 12.8% in 2013. However, new
and troubling trends are emerging, and the job is far from done.
"Many young people are taking up vaping, not realising just how addictive and dangerous this is. News has
also emerged this weekend that five billion illicit cigarettes were smoked in Australia in the past year, leading to a rise in
overall cigarette smoking rates in years. Concerningly the surge is highest among younger people as well as low-income
earners.
"So, let's help GPs get on with the job of helping patients from all walks of life have a healthier future. For those who are smoking or vaping, please reach out to your GP – it could be one of the best health decision you ever make."
