The World Health Organization provides a comprehensive roadmap for aiding over 750 million tobacco users in their journey to quit.
In Short:
- WHO releases first clinical guideline for tobacco cessation.
- Guideline includes behavioral support, digital tools, and medications.
- Targets over 750 million tobacco users who want to quit.
- Recommendations cover all tobacco products.
- Encourages affordable access to cessation treatments.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first clinical guideline focused on helping adults quit tobacco. This new guideline includes a range of support options such as counseling by healthcare providers, digital tools, and medications.
With more than 750 million of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users expressing a desire to quit, this guideline is a crucial step forward. It covers a variety of tobacco products including cigarettes, waterpipes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
“This guideline is a significant milestone in our fight against harmful tobacco products," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "It provides countries with essential tools to support people in quitting tobacco and reducing the global burden of tobacco-related diseases.”
Despite the high number of people wanting to quit, around 70% do not have access to effective cessation services due to challenges within health systems, including limited resources.
“The struggle to quit smoking is immense and requires great strength,” said Dr. Rüdiger Krech, WHO Director of Health Promotion. ”These guidelines are designed to help communities and governments provide the best support possible for those on this challenging journey.”
Effective Therapies for Quitting Tobacco
Combining medications with behavioral support significantly increases the chances of quitting successfully. WHO recommends providing these treatments at low or no cost, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Recommended treatments include varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), bupropion, and cytisine. To improve access, WHO started a prequalification procedure for tobacco cessation medications in 2023. By April 2024, Kenvue’s nicotine gum and patch became the first WHO-prequalified NRT products.
WHO also endorses behavioral interventions such as brief counseling sessions by health workers and more intensive support options like individual, group, or phone counseling. Digital tools, including text messages, apps, and internet programs, can complement these efforts.
Healthcare providers, policymakers, and stakeholders are urged to adopt and implement this guideline to promote tobacco cessation and improve global health.
(Published by WHO Edited by Truth Times India)