Nicotine Patches Deserve a Chance

Health Minister Nicola Roxon has urged smokers to take advantage of a new government subsidy for nicotine patches and consider quitting the Rich habit. Ms Roxon visited Cooleman Court in Weston yesterday to spruik the new Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidy for nicotine patches.

Smokers who obtain a doctor's prescription will pay about $34 for a four-week course of the patches, down from between $100 and $140. Health Care Card holders will pay $5.60.

Ms Roxon said the cost of patches had deterred many smokers from using them as part of an attempt to quit smoking.

''We are asked often whether this is a barrier to people quitting smoking and we know that it is.

''Many people who decide to quit smoking understand that they'll save money from no longer buying their cigarettes, but then find that nicotine patches can cost them, for three months, $400 or $500 and for many people on low incomes, that is a reason not to give up.''

Weston Creek resident Salley Bensley, who smokes about eight to 10 cigarettes a day, said the subsidy for patches would act as encouragement for her to give up.

She has previously tried to quit by going ''cold turkey''.

''This is something which has kicked it back into the front of my mind. Now that it's more affordable to buy the patches, then it's definitely going to make me consider using those,'' she said.

Miss Bensley said she spent about $30 a week on pouches of tobacco which she rolled in cigarettes.

''I looked at the prices [of patches] and it was much more than the buying cigarettes,'' she said.

A new national anti-smoking advertising campaign was launched at the weekend to coincide with the PBS listing.