WHO publishes first-ever comprehensive set of smoking cessation measures
Kyiv • UNN
The WHO has launched the first-ever comprehensive tobacco cessation package, including behavioral support, digital interventions and pharmaceutical treatments, to help more than 750 million tobacco users who want to quit.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the first-ever comprehensive tobacco cessation package. The toolkit includes, among other things, behavioral health support, digital interventions, and pharmaceutical treatment.
This is stated on the WHO website, UNN reports.
Details
According to the report, the WHO has published a comprehensive set of measures for tobacco cessation, which includes, in particular, the provision of health care and pharmacological treatment to smokers.
The guidelines are aimed at helping the more than 750 million tobacco users who want to quit all types of tobacco. The guidelines are relevant to all adults who want to quit a variety of tobacco products, including cigarettes, pipes, smokeless tobacco products, cigars, rolling tobacco and heated tobacco products
The WHO emphasizes that more than 60% of the world's 1.25 billion tobacco users - more than 750 million people - want to quit, but 70% do not have access to effective cessation services. This gap exists because of the challenges faced by health systems, including resource constraints.
The WHO recommends nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, bupropion, and cytisine as effective smoking cessation treatments.
In 2023, the WHO initiated a prequalification procedure for medicines for tobacco use disorders to improve global access to recommended tobacco cessation medicines. In April 2024, Kenvue nicotine gum and patch became the first WHO prequalified nicotine replacement therapy products
The WHO also recommends behavioral interventions, including brief counseling by health workers (30 seconds to 3 minutes), which are regularly offered in health facilities, along with more intensive behavioral support (individual, group or telephone counseling) for those interested.
Additionally, digital interventions such as text messaging, smartphone apps, and web-based programs can be used as aids or self-management tools. WHO encourages health care providers, policymakers and stakeholders to adopt and implement this guidance to promote tobacco cessation and improve the health of millions of people in need around the world
Recall
The British Parliament has passed a law banning smoking for people born after 2009with the aim of creating a "smoke-free generation".
