WHO gives first-ever guideline for quitting tobacco

The World Health Organisation has recommended a comprehensive set of tobacco cessation interventions, including behavioural support delivered by healthcare providers, digital cessation interventions, and pharmacological treatments in its first guideline on tobacco cessation. The guideline released on Wednesday focuses on helping the more than 750 million tobacco users who want to quit all forms of tobacco. The recommendations are relevant for all adults seeking to quit various tobacco products, including cigarettes, waterpipes, smokeless tobacco products, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, and Heated Tobacco Products. “This guideline marks a crucial milestone in our global battle against these dangerous products,” said the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus. “It empowers countries with the essential tools to effectively support individuals in quitting tobacco and alleviate the global burden of tobacco-related diseases.” Over 60 per cent of the world’s 1.25 billion tobacco users – more than 750 million people – wish to quit, yet 70 per cent lack access to effective cessation services. This gap exists due to challenges faced by health systems, including resource limitations. “The immense struggle that people face when trying to quit smoking cannot be overstated. We need to deeply appreciate the strength it takes and the suffering endured by individuals and their loved ones to overcome this addiction,” said the Director of Health Promotion at WHO, Dr Rüdiger Krech. “These guidelines are designed to help communities and governments provide the best possible support and assistance for those on this challenging journey.” The global health body noted that combining pharmacotherapy with behavioural interventions significantly increases quitting success rates. Countries are encouraged to provide these treatments at no or reduced cost to improve accessibility, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. WHO recommends varenicline, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, bupropion, and cytisine as effective treatments for tobacco cessation. In 2023, WHO initiated a prequalification procedure for medicinal products against disorders caused by tobacco use to improve global access to recommended tobacco cessation medications. In April 2024, Kenvue’s nicotine gum and patch became the first WHO-prequalified NRT product. WHO recommends behavioural interventions, including brief health worker counselling (30 seconds to three minutes) offered routinely in health-care settings, alongside more intensive behavioural support (individual, group, or phone counselling) for interested users. “Additionally, digital interventions such as text messaging, smartphone apps, and internet programmes can be used as adjuncts or self-management tools. “WHO encourages healthcare providers, policy-makers, and stakeholders to adopt and implement this guideline to promote tobacco cessation and improve the health of millions of people in need worldwide,” it added.

INEC Partners Foreign Bodies to Launch Guidelines for Digital and Social Media Use in African Elections

In a concerted effort to enhance electoral processes across Africa, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria has partnered with the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA) and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa to introduce comprehensive guidelines for the effective utilization of digital and social media during elections. The unveiling of the Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections in Africa occurred over a three-day period, from Tuesday, 27th February to Thursday, 29th February, 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, the Director-General of INEC’s Electoral Institute, represented the Nigerian electoral body at the event, which brought together stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for leveraging social media while mitigating potential risks associated with evolving digital technologies. The genesis of these guidelines can be traced back to the inaugural Continental Conference for Election Management Bodies held in Cape Town, South Africa, in March 2020. Themed “Safeguarding Electoral Integrity in the Digital Age: Strategies for Combatting Digital Disinformation,” the conference, jointly organized by the Electoral Commission of South Africa, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), laid the groundwork for extensive consultations with EMBs and electoral stakeholders across Africa to formulate a robust framework. The newly introduced principles emphasize the pivotal role of social media in bolstering the credibility of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and fostering public trust during electoral processes. Additionally, they underscore the importance of responsible journalism and accountability among social media platform owners and users to counteract the risks of misinformation and manipulation. The collaborative endeavor between INEC, AAEA, and IEC signifies a proactive approach towards addressing the evolving challenges of electoral integrity in the digital era. By advocating for responsible digital engagement, African EMBs aim to uphold democratic principles and promote transparent electoral practices across the continent.