event details - MPOWER – Preparing the Next Generation of Tobacco Control Advocates: Offering help Tobacco Cessation

Pakistan has been a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) since February 2005. Under this treaty, countries are obliged to treat tobacco use and dependence. WHO also provides guidance to the countries in establishing tobacco cessation services and quitting support. Quitting tobacco use is challenging, especially with the added burden caused by socioeconomic stresses, and the COVID-19 pandemic, in many parts of the world including Pakistan. An estimated 780 million tobacco users want to quit, but only 30% of them have access to quitting/cessation tools.

Counseling and medication can double the chances of quitting tobacco use. However, almost 32% of the world population in 23 countries currently has access to comprehensive cessation services with full or partial cost-coverage to assist tobacco users to quit.

Although health professionals have the greatest potential of any group in society to promote the reduction/quitting of tobacco use, the situation gets complicated if a significant number of health professionals also use tobacco. Moreover, studies show that few people understand the specific health risks associated with tobacco usage including lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke, besides a host of other diseases. Brief advice from health professionals can increase quitting success rate by up to 30%, increased to 84% with intensive advice.

Foregoing in view, this webinar will deliberate on the following aspects: -

1. What are the global and regional best practices in cessation/quitting, and how can health professionals play a more engaging role in providing quit advice?

2. What strategies could be adopted to target larger segments of the population offering help to quit?

3. What are the roles of self-motivation in “commit to quit”, what role can be played by the national and provincial governments/ministries?