WHO Releases Guideline To Help Tobacco Users Quit

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended a comprehensive set of tobacco cessation interventions, including behavioural support delivered by healthcare providers, digital cessation interventions and pharmacological treatments in a first guideline on tobacco cessation.

It said that the guideline focuses on helping the more than 750 million tobacco users who want to quit all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, waterpipes, smokeless tobacco products, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, and heated tobacco products (HTPs).

“This guideline marks a crucial milestone in our global battle against these dangerous products,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said. “It empowers countries with the essential tools to effectively support individuals in quitting tobacco and alleviate the global burden of tobacco-related diseases.”

According to the global health body, over 60% of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users – more than 750 million people – wish to quit, yet 70% lack access to effective cessation services. It said this gap exists due to challenges faced by health systems, including resource limitations.

The immense struggle that people face when trying to quit smoking cannot be overstated. We need to deeply appreciate the strength it takes and the suffering endured by individuals and their loved ones to overcome this addiction,” Dr Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO said.

These guidelines are designed to help communities and governments provide the best possible support and assistance for those on this challenging journey.

Effective therapies for quitting tobacco

The WHO said combining pharmacotherapy with behavioural interventions significantly increases quitting success rates. It encouraged countries to provide these treatments at no or reduced cost to improve accessibility, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

It also recommended varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), bupropion, and cytisine as effective treatments for tobacco cessation.

The world health body behavioural interventions, including brief health worker counselling (30 seconds to 3 minutes) offered routinely in healthcare settings, alongside more intensive behavioural support (individual, group, or phone counselling) for interested users, could also help them quit.

Additionally, digital interventions such as text messaging, smartphone apps, and internet programmes can be adjuncts or self-management tools.

WHO encouraged healthcare providers, policy-makers, and stakeholders to adopt and implement this guideline to promote tobacco cessation and improve the health of millions of people in need worldwide.

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