…says 30% have access to the tools to stop tobacco intake
The World Health Organization, WHO has introduced digital tools and resources needed to successfully help those who want to quit and reduce the demand for tobacco.
WHO also revealed that out of the 1.3 billion tobacco users globally, 60% have expressed the desire to quit but only 30% have access to the tools to do so successfully.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti who disclosed these ahead of World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, 2021 said there is no safe form of tobacco consumption as it increases the risk of chest and lung infections, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other conditions.
With this year’s theme, “Commit to quit”, Moeti said more than 75 million people in the African Region use some form of tobacco which are likely to increase as consumer purchasing power improves coupled with intensive efforts by the tobacco industry to expand the African market.
And at such, there is need for tools, resources and channels to stop the intake of tobacco. He said, “Millions of people have been motivated to quit tobacco during the COVID-19 pandemic because of evidence showing tobacco smoking impairs lung function, making it harder for the body to fight off coronaviruses and other diseases.
“Of the 1.3 billion tobacco users globally, 60% have expressed the desire to quit but only 30% have access to the tools to do so successfully. Digital solutions can help to fill this gap and so at WHO we have introduced “Florence” a digital health worker who gives brief advice on how to quit and links people with the tools and solutions that can help.”
Moeti stated WHO’s commitment in providing support to countries in order to end the consumption of tobacco.
“As WHO, we are supporting countries to scale-up programmes to help people quit tobacco, especially at the primary health care and community levels. So far support to quit is available in primary health care facilities in 11 countries and in Angola, Botswana and Zambia these services are offered at no cost to consumers.
“National toll-free lines where tobacco users can call and get advice are available in six countries. Nicotine replacement therapy is sold in pharmacies in 19 countries with governments fully covering the costs in Eswatini, Mauritius and Seychelles. Nicotine replacement therapy is included in the essential medicines list in Algeria, Ethiopia and South Africa. Burkina Faso is implementing “mTobaccoCessation,” a mobile text messaging-based solution.
“This promising progress now needs to be expanded to more countries in the WHO African Region. Governments and communities should also be alert to industry tactics to attract new users and keep people using tobacco, even when they are trying to quit. Products such as electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches are highly addictive and not recommended as strategies to reduce tobacco use.
“As WHO, we remain committed to supporting Member States to meet their obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. These include the development and implementation of programmes to promote quitting tobacco in schools, universities, health facilities, workplaces and sporting environments. Services to diagnose tobacco dependence and help people quit, should be included as an integral component in national health and education programmes, plans and strategies.”
He therefore called on the government to to improve access to these services, using a combination of approaches, such as toll-free quit lines, nicotine replacement therapy (such as gum, patches, sprays and other products), and digital solutions to empower people to quit.
