Should the NHS pay for an anti-smoking pill?

NHS approval came this week for the latest anti-smoking weapon - a drug costing [pound]163.80 for a 12-week course. A month ahead of England's smoking ban, we went to St Bart's Hospital, London, to ask whether the taxpayer should fund Champix

Geoffrey Pusey, 44

CARPENTER

Drugs don't work. People need information so they can use willpower. Money should be spent on education.

Ivy Davies, 87

RETIRED

The NHS has enough to pay for. It should put the money to better use, such as chil-dren's homes; not deal with self-inflicted conditions.

Nick Craddock, 29

CITY AND GUILD CONTENT MANAGER

I'm a smoker. The NHS shouldn't have to pay. I can't imagine medication would cost as much as the fags.

Magdalena Koper, 29

STUDENT

I'm Canadian and we had the smoking ban. The Government is paying lip service to those annoyed by the ruling here.

Afsha Shah, 21

MEDICAL STUDENT

People choose to start smoking so it's their choice to quit. Others suffer from conditions beyond their control and they deserve preference.

Debbie Cheung, 27

WRITER

There are more immediate illnesses that need funding, like cancer. Then again, perhaps fewer people will get ill.

Naveen Premarat, 24

MEDICAL STUDENT

The Government should improve and expand programmes that support those trying to quit rather than spend on drugs.

Lana Thomas, 28

DOCTOR

Drugs aren't the sole answer so don't necessarily justify NHS funding. But it could alleviate later pressures on the health system.

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