The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its inaugural guidelines aimed at assisting individuals in quitting smoking.
These guidelines advocate for a multi-faceted approach, combining behavioural support from healthcare providers, the use of digital tools, and the application of medications.
These recommendations target over 750 million tobacco users globally, encompassing various tobacco products such as cigarettes, waterpipes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Despite over 60% of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users expressing a desire to quit, approximately 70% lack access to effective cessation services, largely due to health system challenges and limited resources, according to WHO.
"The struggle to quit smoking is immense. We need to understand the strength it takes and the suffering endured by individuals and their families to overcome this addiction," said Dr. Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO.
WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES?
The guidelines emphasize that combining medication with behavioral support significantly increases the likelihood of successfully quitting smoking. WHO encourages nations to provide these treatments at low or no cost, particularly in low- and middle-income regions.
WHO recommends medications such as varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), bupropion, and cytisine as effective treatments for tobacco cessation.
In 2023, WHO initiated efforts to enhance global access to these recommended tobacco cessation medications.
In April 2024, Kenvue’s nicotine gum and patch became the first WHO-approved NRT products.
WHO also advises brief counseling sessions from health workers, lasting between 30 seconds to 3 minutes, as well as more intensive behavioral support, which can include individual, group, or phone counseling.
Additionally, digital tools like text messaging, smartphone apps, and online programs are recommended as aids for individuals attempting to quit smoking.
WHO calls on healthcare providers, policymakers, and stakeholders to adopt these guidelines in order to promote tobacco cessation and improve health outcomes globally.
