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The fight against tobacco addiction is a crucial public health effort that has a profound impact on the lives of millions of people and in India, despite concerted efforts, smoking prevalence remains alarmingly high, posing significant risks to the health of individuals and burdening the healthcare system. Public health experts believe that while it is important to explore and adopt innovative methods that have proven successful in other countries, traditional methods of quitting tobacco need to be reinvented in India, and it is time to consider alternative strategies that have shown promising results in other parts of the world.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Narendra Saini, former secretary general of the Indian Medical Association, shared, “Tobacco cessation is the process of quitting tobacco use. It is well established that smoking is a major cause of preventable diseases, including cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses. Traditional methods of quitting smoking, such as counselling, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and pharmacological treatments, play a vital role in helping individuals quit smoking. However, the high relapse rate and deep-rooted smoking culture in India highlight the need for additional strategies.”
Learn from global success stories
Countries such as Sweden, the US, the UK and Japan have adopted new approaches to quitting tobacco and have had remarkable success. “These countries have adopted heated tobacco products (HTPs) as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, leading to a significant reduction in smoking rates. The experience of Japan in particular provides valuable insights into the potential of HTPs to revolutionise tobacco quitting efforts,” said Dr Narendra Saini.
Japan has witnessed a massive drop in cigarette sales, halving in the past decade, thanks to the widespread adoption of HTPs. Dr. Narendra Saini explains, “According to a study published by the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction, the introduction of HTPs in Japan has contributed to a 52% reduction in cigarette sales from 2015 to 2023. This unprecedented change highlights the effectiveness of HTPs in encouraging smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives. In Japan, HTPs such as IQOS, Ploom TECH and glo have become popular due to their ability to deliver nicotine without burning tobacco. Unlike traditional cigarettes that burn at high temperatures and release harmful chemicals, HTPs heat tobacco at a lower temperature, reducing the levels of toxins and carcinogens. This significant reduction in harmful emissions makes HTPs a viable harm reduction tool for smokers who find it difficult to quit using traditional methods.”
India needs a new approach
The tobacco burden in India is unique, with traditional forms such as bidis and modern cigarettes contributing to widespread tobacco use. “Despite stringent tobacco control measures, around 267 million people in India still use tobacco, leading to nearly one million deaths each year from tobacco-related diseases. This statistic underscores the urgent need for innovative and effective cessation strategies,” said Dr Narendra Saini.
He added, “The success of HTPs in Japan shows that alternatives to traditional smoking methods must be explored. It is important to create a favorable legislative environment that encourages the use of scientifically supported, safer tobacco smoking products. Such measures can help reduce smoking rates and reduce the public health burden. An important lesson from the Japanese experience is to provide smokers with multiple options to quit. Not all smokers are willing or able to quit abruptly, and having access to safer alternatives such as HTPs can make a significant difference. It is important to educate the public about the relative risks of different tobacco products and empower them to make informed choices about their health.”
Learnings from Kai’s Multidisciplinary Approach
According to Dr. Narendra Saini, the fight against tobacco addiction requires a multi-pronged effort. He takes this approach by combining traditional smoking cessation methods with innovative harm reduction strategies. He concluded, “As a public health expert, I urge policymakers, healthcare providers and the general public to consider the potential benefits of smoking cessation methods and other new options. By learning from global success stories and adapting these strategies to the Indian context, we can take significant steps towards a smoke-free future. Remember, quitting tobacco is a journey, not a destination. By adopting a comprehensive and innovative approach to quitting, we can move towards a healthy, smoke-free India. Let us support smokers with all the means available to us, including exploring potentially safer alternatives, and seize this opportunity to make a difference and improve the lives of millions of people.”
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