The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first treatment guideline for quitting smoking and other tobacco products, including digital cessation interventions and behavioural support.
In the UK, it is estimated that about 6.4 million adults smoke cigarettes. This new guideline explores relevant reformations for all adults looking to quit smoking cigarettes and other various tobacco products such as cigars, water pipes and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
“This guideline marks a crucial milestone in our global battle against these dangerous products,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It empowers countries with the essential tools to effectively support individuals in quitting tobacco and alleviate the global burden of tobacco-related diseases.”
750 million people wish to quit tobacco products
Over 60% of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users – more than 750 million people – wish to quit, yet 70% lack access to effective cessation services. Challenges faced by healthcare systems make quitting smoking and other tobacco products difficult.
“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,” said Dr Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO. ”These guidelines are designed to help communities and governments provide the best possible support and assistance for those on this challenging journey.”
Effective treatments for quitting smoking
Combining pharmacotherapy with behavioural interventions significantly increases quitting smoking and tobacco success rates. WHO encourages countries to provide these treatments at no or reduced cost to improve accessibility, particularly in low-and middle-income countries.
WHO recommends varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), bupropion, and cytisine as effective treatments for tobacco cessation.
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 NRT product.
WHO also recommends behavioural interventions, including brief health worker counselling (30 seconds to three minutes) offered routinely in health-care settings, alongside more intensive behavioural support (individual, group, or phone counselling) for interested users. Digital interventions such as text messaging, phone apps, and internet programmes can be used to support adults quitting smoking.
WHO encourages healthcare providers, policy-makers, and stakeholders to adopt and implement this guideline to promote quitting smoking and tobacco to improve the heath of millions of people worldwide.
