Struggling to quit smoking? WHO unveils first ever treatment guidelines to help tobacco users

Struggling to quit smoking? WHO unveils first ever treatment guidelines to help tobacco users

New Delhi: Tobacco is the leading cause of death across the world. It kills up to half of its users who do not quit the use. More than 8 million people every year die due to tobacco use, including 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released its first-ever clinical treatment guidelines. According to WHO, over 60 per cent of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users are more than 750 million people who want to quit but still 70 per cent of them lack access to effective cessation services.

The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus marks the guideline as a milestone in the global fight against such dangerous substances.

Empowering step to alleviate the global burden of diseases

The step is empowering many countries with essential tools to support individuals in quitting tobacco and reducing the global burden of tobacco-related diseases.

People face an immense struggle when they try to quit smoking and it takes tremendous courage and strength in their heart and mind to suffer the pain. Hence, the new guidelines released by the WHO are designed to help communities and the government provide the best possible support and assistance for those who are a part of this challenging journey.

What is the new treatment method recommended by the WHO

The WHO recommends varenicline, a Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), bupropion, and cytisine as one of the most effective treatments for those who want to quit tobacco.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Varenicline is a pill that does not contain nicotine and you need a prescription before using it. However, it works differently than other quit-smoking drugs. It can be a good option for people who have tried using other medicines to quit before but have not been able to quit successfully.

 The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released its first-ever clinical treatment guidelines. According to WHO, over 60 per cent of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users are more than 750 million people who want to quit but still 70 per cent of them lack access to effective cessation services  Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare