Despite their overwhelming desire to quit, 70% of tobacco users worldwide do not have access to effective cessation programmes, according to the World Health Organisation. Organisation (WHO). This gap exists primarily because of obstacles within health-care systems and resource constraints, making it difficult for many people to receive the help they require to overcome tobacco addiction.

To address this challenge, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued its first clinical treatment guideline for adults who want to quit smoking. This comprehensive strategy incorporates behavioural support and digital cessation initiatives, and pharmaceutical treatments to help over 750 million tobacco users worldwide quit.

The guidelines' advice applies to all individuals who want to quit using various tobacco products, such as cigarettes, waterpipes, smokeless tobacco products, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, and heated tobacco products (HTPs).

"This guideline marks a crucial milestone in our global battle against these dangerous products," Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated. "It empowers countries with the essential tools to effectively support individuals in quitting tobacco and alleviate the global burden of tobacco-related diseases." 

The monetary toll that tobacco addiction takes on healthcare systems and economies around the world is enormous. Treatment for tobacco-related diseases, such as COPD, heart disease, and lung cancer, incur large direct medical costs. Public health budgets bear a heavy burden due to these costs, especially in middle- and low-income nations where healthcare systems are already under pressure.

In addition to the direct expenses of healthcare, there are indirect costs such as as lost productivity from illness and early mortality. Workers impacted by tobacco-related disorders often result in reduced job capability, higher absenteeism and early retirement, which together lower economic output. The untimely deaths of productive individuals magnified the losses experienced by families and communities.

Furthermore, the costs of public health campaigns, cessation programmes, and tobacco control measures (both initial and ongoing) are part of the economic burden. Implementing these measures, which are crucial for reducing tobacco use, requires a substantial financial commitment.

In the end, the cost of tobacco addiction affects national economies and development initiatives, in addition to personal health expenditures. Tobacco control programmes that are both thorough and effective at helping people quit smoking can improve public health while also easing financial burdens.

The monetary toll that tobacco addiction takes on healthcare systems and economies around the world is enormous. Treatment for tobacco-related diseases, such as COPD, heart disease, and lung cancer, incurs large direct medical costs. Public health budgets bear a heavy burden due to these costs, especially in middle- and low-income nations where healthcare systems are already under pressure.

The Indian Context
According to to 2022 report on tobacco control in India, tobacco is still a big problem for public health in India, even though the country has introduced and implemented strong measures to regulate it.

With a decrease of 17.3% from 34.6% in 2009-2010, the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2016-2017 found that 28.6% of adults in India used tobacco products, with 21.2% of adults in urban regions and 32.5% in rural areas.

The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) also shows that teen tobacco use has dropped, falling from 14.6% in 2010 to 8.4% in 2019, a 42.5% drop.

The findings of the report show that tobacco use is still too high among adults and adolescents, despite these improvements. This shows how bad tobacco addiction is and how far it has spread in India.

Cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and stroke are just a few of the chronic illnesses that can be accelerated by smoking. It kills about 1.35 million people annually and is a leading cause of illness in India. When it comes to tobacco, India is both the biggest user and producer. The country offers a wide selection of tobacco products at incredibly cheap prices.

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey India, 2016–17, almost 267 million adults (15 years of age and older) in India use tobacco, which is 29 percent of all adults. Khaini, gutkha, betel quid with tobacco, and zarda are some of the most popular smokeless tobacco products in India. The three main methods of smoking tobacco are the hookah, cigarette, and bidi.

One of the greatest risks to public health on a global scale is cigarette consumption. It results in human casualties and significant societal and economic losses. For Indians aged 35 and up, the monetary toll of tobacco-related illnesses in 2017–18 was INR 177,341 crore (about $27.5 billion).

"The enormous challenge that people encounter when attempting to quit smoking cannot be understated. "We must deeply appreciate the strength required and the suffering endured by individuals and their loved ones to overcome this addiction," stated Dr Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO.

"We designed these guidelines to assist communities and governments in providing the best possible support and assistance for individuals on this challenging journey," Dr Krech added.

The WHO emphasises that combining medication with behavioural therapies greatly improves quitting success rates. The WHO encourages countries to offer these therapies at no or reduced cost, especially in low- and middle-income areas.

The recommendation suggests specific drugs for tobacco cessation, such as varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion, and cytisine. In 2023, WHO launched a prequalification mechanism for pharmaceutical items to improve global access to these recommended medications. By April 2024, Kenvue's nicotine gum and patch would be the first WHO-prequalified NRT products.

Brief health professional counselling (30 seconds to 3 minutes) is indicated as a normal intervention in healthcare settings, as is more intense support (individual, group, or phone counselling). Additionally, we can use digital interventions like text messaging, smartphone apps, and internet programmes as supplements or self-management aids.

WHO encourages healthcare professionals, governments, and stakeholders to adopt and apply this recommendation to promote tobacco cessation and improve global health outcomes.