Eminent public health experts believe that while India must aim to achieve the goal of cessation, it must, in the meantime, make safe nicotine replacement therapy products available over the counter to fight the devastating health consequences of tobacco use, especially among the economically disadvantaged
The widespread use of tobacco, particularly in the economically disadvantaged sections of society, poses a significant health challenge to India. It is a leading cause of cancers and cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. A study in 2020 revealed that 27 percent of Indians aged 15 and above used tobacco.
Globally, 80 percent of tobacco-related deaths could occur in low and middle-income countries, with one-third from cardiovascular diseases, according to the KPMG 2023 survey. India must, therefore, do its utmost to curb tobacco consumption with a redefined action plan.
Dr Pawan Gupta, Senior Consultant-Respiratory Medicine, Allergy & Sleep Disorder at BLK-MAX Super Speciality Hospital, stresses the need to prioritise the accessibility of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products. They ought to be available over the counter, he says, particularly as the cases of NRT abuse are rare, and the benefits of their availability far outweigh the risks. NRT is retailed as an OTC product in more than 100 countries.
Dr Chandrakant S Pandav, a Padma Shri winning Global Public Health Expert and Former HoD, Community Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, prescribes a comprehensive tobacco harm reduction strategy, integrating evidence-based interventions into the national health system. While encouraging people to quit must remain the ultimate goal, the difficulties faced by most tobacco users to do so make a mitigation strategy a more realistic and attractive near-term alternative, bringing NRT and other safer, scientifically proven options into the frame.
WHO endorses NRT as the most effective tool for tobacco cessation. Efforts should focus on raising awareness, affordability, and accessibility while combining NRT with holistic strategies like talk therapy for improved quitting success.
The path to reducing tobacco consumption requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach, with the government taking a lead role in implementing effective policies to decrease tobacco use and improve public health. The lives of millions depend on prompt action and making tobacco control a top priority.