Dr Shirish Khedgikar
In 1987, World Health Organisation (WHO) declared May 31 as 'World No Tobacco Day'. Every year, WHO declares a theme for this day. "Quit Tobacco to be a winner" is the theme for this year. During this COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of tobacco chewers and smokers wish to quit their dangerous habit. Quitting it is challenging, especially with added social and economic stresses created due to the pandemic.
Smokers are having 50% higher risk of developing severe disease and death from COVID-19. Hence, quitting tobacco lowers the risk from coronavirus. It also helps in preventing cancers, respiratory illnesses and heart disease. Smoking kills 8 million people globally, in a year. In the world, roughly 39 % of men and 9% of women use tobacco. Out of the 1.3 billion tobacco users globally, 60% have expressed their desire to quit tobacco, but only 30% have the access to the tools to help them for it. WHO launched a year-long global campaign "Commit to Quit", in December-2020. Its purpose is to support at least 100 million people, who are trying to quit their habits of tobacco chewing and smoking. Programmes under this campaign include the strict implementation of tobacco cessation policies for WHO member countries, starting cessation services and building up digital communities for social support to quitters. This campaign aims to empower and support tobacco users on their journey to quit tobacco. Health professionals, including family doctors, dentists, psychiatrists and counsellers can play a key role in it.
This year, WHO declared special recognition award for tobacco control to Dr Harsh Wardhan, union Health Minister of India, who was instrumental in the 2019 national legislation banning E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Toll-free quitlines (helplines), digital cessation services and nicotine replacement therapies can help tobacco chewers and smokers in quitting tobacco and can make them the 'winners'. (The writer is Associate Professor at Government Dental College and Hospital, Aurangabad).