The World Health Organisation has issued its very first guidelines aimed at helping smokers to give up the habit, and encouraged member states to make cessation services as affordable as possible, or even free, for tobacco addicts.
Digital cessation programmes, behavioural support and medication are some of the measures recommended by the WHO, which says of the one in five adults – around 1.25b users worldwide – who use cigarettes, heated tobacco products, water pipes, smokeless tobacco products, or cigars, more than half want to quit, but only 30% have access to effective cessation services.
Counselling, teaching patients to change their smoking-related habits, dedicated apps or calls, nicotine replacement therapy and medication, are all recommended, with the agency saying a combined approach of behavioural support and pharmacotherapy is best, reports Health Policy News.
The guidelines feature advised various changes in the health systems: tobacco use status and implemented cessation interventions should be included in the patient’s medical records; it is also recommended that healthcare workers are trained on the appropriate therapies and provide a short behavioural support talk to smokers who want to quit.
Additionally, pharmacotherapy using nicotine replacement therapy, as well as drugs like varenicline, bupropion, and cytisine, especially when combined with behavioural support, are suggested. This may include skills and strategies for changing behaviour as well as more general counselling.
Traditional, complementary and alternative therapies are not recommended due to insufficient evidence for their effectiveness.
Varenicline, but not vapes
While the guidelines strongly recommend the use of varenicline, they do not mention a possible role for vapes in quitting traditional cigarettes, more harmful than their e-cigarette alternative.
WHO states that “e-cigarettes are beyond the scope of this guideline because the potential benefits and harms of using these are complex, and are addressed in a separate body of literature. These products may be addressed in the future as evidence accumulates”.
WHO quit smoking guidelines
Health Policy Watch article – First Global Guidelines for Quitting Tobacco (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
What is the evidence on e-cigarettes helping you quit smoking?
The important role of pharmacists in helping people to quit smoking
E-cigarettes are no better than alternative aids to quit smoking – US study
Plant-based solution may help nicotine-vape addicts quit – US study