The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its inaugural guideline on tobacco cessation, proposing a comprehensive range of interventions aimed at aiding the world’s 750 million tobacco users who desire to quit. This guideline underscores the importance of supporting individuals in overcoming their addiction to various tobacco products, including cigarettes, water pipes, and cigars.
“This guideline represents a significant milestone in our global efforts against these harmful products,” remarked Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It equips nations with essential tools to effectively assist individuals in quitting tobacco and reducing the global burden of tobacco-related illnesses.”
A staggering 60% of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users express a desire to quit, yet 70% lack access to effective cessation services, primarily due to healthcare system constraints and resource shortages.
“The challenges individuals face when trying to quit smoking are immense,” emphasized Dr. Rüdiger Krech, WHO’s Director of Health Promotion. “We must recognize the strength and suffering involved for individuals and their families to conquer this addiction.”
The guideline emphasizes the combination of pharmacological treatments with behavioral interventions, significantly enhancing success rates in quitting. WHO recommends medications such as varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), bupropion, and cytisine as effective aids for tobacco cessation. In 2023, WHO initiated a prequalification process for medicinal products combating tobacco-related disorders to improve global access to these recommended treatments.
Recently, in April 2024, Kenvue’s nicotine gum and patch became the first NRT products to receive WHO prequalification, marking a significant step forward in global cessation efforts.
Behavioral interventions play a crucial role, with WHO advocating for brief counseling sessions by healthcare workers (ranging from 30 seconds to three minutes) as routine offerings in healthcare settings. Additionally, more intensive behavioral support, including individual, group, or telephone counseling, is recommended for those interested in quitting tobacco.
Digital interventions such as text messaging, smartphone apps, and internet programs are also endorsed as adjuncts or self-management tools in the cessation journey.
WHO urges healthcare providers, policymakers, and stakeholders worldwide to adopt and implement these guidelines, aiming to promote tobacco cessation and enhance the health outcomes of millions globally in need. The guideline underscores the importance of integrating these strategies into health systems to ensure accessible and effective support for those striving to quit tobacco use.
