Initiative aims to prevent 9,500 smoking-related deaths in the next five yearsLilartsy / Pexels
In July 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the first clinical treatment guideline for people who want to quit smoking cigarettes, hookahs, cigars, and rolling tobacco: approximately 750 million people worldwide, most of whom do not have access to support services. The WHO recommendations include behavioral support provided by health professionals and treatment with the drugs varenicline, bupropion, and cytisine, which reduce nicotine cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. In November, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) announced it will begin prescribing varenicline to help 85,000 people quit smoking and prevent up to 9,500 smoking-related deaths over the next five years. The NHS registered 400,000 hospital admissions associated with smoking in 2022 and 2023, with £2.5 billion spent annually on treating diseases resulting from the habit. The treatment is offered through a collaboration with pharmaceutical company Teva UK, which is supplying a new generic version to the NHS. In Brazil, varenicline sales were suspended in 2021 due to above-permitted levels of a carcinogenic compound called N-nitrosodimethylamine (WHO, July 2; NHS, November 12).
Republish