The World Health Organisation (WHO) is recommending a comprehensive set of tobacco cessation interventions, including behavioural support delivered by health-care providers.
WHO has also proposed digital cessation interventions and pharmacological treatments in a first guideline on tobacco cessation.
The guideline focuses on helping the more than 750 million tobacco users who want to quit all forms of tobacco.
The recommendations are relevant for all adults seeking to quit tobacco products, including cigarettes, waterpipes, smokeless tobacco products, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco and heated tobacco products.
- Advertisement -
“This guideline marks a crucial milestone in our global battle against these dangerous products,” WHO Director- General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
- Advertisement -
He added that the guideline empowers countries with the essential tools to effectively support individuals in quitting tobacco and alleviate “the global burden of tobacco-related diseases”.
Over 60 percent of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users – more than 750 million people – wish to quit, yet 70 percent lack access to effective cessation services, according to the health agency.
It adds that the 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,” Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO, said.
- Advertisement -
Krech added that the 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, according to the United Nations health agency, include combining pharmacotherapy with behavioural interventions.
In 2023, WHO initiated a prequalification procedure for medicinal products against disorders caused by tobacco use to improve global access to recommended tobacco cessation medications.
In April 2024, Kenvue’s nicotine gum and patch became the first WHO-prequalified nicotine replacement therapy products.
WHO recommends behavioural interventions, including brief health worker counselling offered routinely in healthcare settings, alongside more intensive behavioural support for interested users.
It also states that digital interventions such as text messaging, smartphone apps and internet programmes can be used as adjuncts or self-management tools.
