WHO releases first-ever clinical treatment guideline for tobacco cessation in adults

The WHO released a guideline to aid over 750 million individuals looking to quit tobacco. It recommends behavioural support, digital interventions, and pharmacological treatments, emphasizing the struggle faced by most of the world's 1.25 billion tobacco users in accessing effective cessation services. Combining therapy and interventions boosts success rates, with varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, bupropion, and cytisine suggested as effective treatments. WHO promotes the availability of these treatments, especially in low-income countries. The organization also introduced a prequalification procedure for cessation medications in 2023. Health-care providers are urged to offer brief counselling and digital interventions to support users in quitting tobacco worldwide.