On Wednesday, the World Health Organization issued an extensive collection of strategies for quitting tobacco use, encompassing behavioral assistance from healthcare professionals, digital cessation aids, and medication-based therapies in its inaugural tobacco cessation guideline.
This guideline, unveiled on Wednesday, is specifically geared towards aiding the over 750 million individuals worldwide who aspire to give up all tobacco habits.
The suggested interventions apply to all adults aiming to discontinue the use of diverse tobacco items, such as cigarettes, water pipes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, and Heated Tobacco Products.
The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, stated, “This guideline marks a crucial milestone in our global battle against these dangerous products.
“It empowers countries with the essential tools to effectively support individuals in quitting tobacco and alleviate the global burden of tobacco-related diseases.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 60% of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users, equivalent to 750 million people, desire to quit smoking.
However, a significant gap in access to effective quit-smoking services persists, with 70% of these individuals lacking access due to resource constraints and limitations within healthcare systems.
“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,” stated the Director of Health Promotion at WHO, Dr Rüdiger Krech.
“These guidelines are designed to help communities and governments provide the best possible support and assistance for those on this challenging journey.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that combining medication with behavioral support significantly boosts quitting success rates.
To improve accessibility, especially in low- and middle-income countries, WHO encourages countries to offer these treatments at no or reduced cost.
Recommended medications include varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and cytisine.
In 2023, WHO began a prequalification process to increase global access to effective tobacco cessation medications. Recently, Kenvue’s nicotine gum and patch became the first WHO-prequalified products.
WHO also recommends brief counseling by health workers and more intensive behavioral support for those interested.
“Additionally, digital interventions such as text messaging, smartphone apps, and internet programmes can be used as adjuncts or self-management tools.
“WHO encourages 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,” it noted.
