Varenicline has been shown to work as well as vapes to help people stop smoking and be a more effective aid than nicotine-replacement gum or patches.

The NHS is set to offer the daily pill to tens of thousands of smokers each year in England to provide another option to help them quit. 

The drug works by reducing cravings for nicotine and blocking its effect on the brain, while also helping with withdrawal symptoms such as feeling irritable or having difficulty sleeping.

The treatment has been shown to help around one in four people to stop smoking for at least six months when used alongside behavioural support, such as counselling.

The move to provide varenicline comes as part of a major NHS drive to make more effective treatment options available for patients while delivering over £500m in savings for the taxpayer.

It is estimated the use of varenicline on the NHS could help more than 85,000 people try to stop smoking each year and its use over the next five years could prevent up to 9,500 smoking-related deaths, according to research by University College London.

The treatment is being made available through a collaboration between NHS England and pharmaceutical company Teva UK, who have agreed to provide a new generic version of the treatment to the NHS.

A branded version of the smoking cessation pill (Champix®) was previously used but was withdrawn in 2021 as a precaution after an impurity was discovered. However, the relaunched generic product has now been approved as safe by the Medicines Health and Regulatory Authority.

Other potential options are on the near horizon with a second drug (cytisine) currently under review by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, said: ‘This simple daily pill could be a game-changer for people who want to quit smoking and is another vital step in shifting our NHS further towards prevention.

‘Smoking remains one of the biggest public health issues facing the NHS and has devastating impacts on the body – from the lungs, to the heart, blood and brain, while also increasing risk of cancer, diabetes and stroke.'

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, added: ‘Prevention is better than cure. The roll-out of this pill can save the NHS millions of pounds, save appointments to help other patients be seen faster, and save lives.

‘Taken alongside our tobacco and vapes bill, the government and NHS are building a healthy society to help power a healthy economy.'