WHO confirms that investment in smoking cessation is cost-effective

A WHO report[1] describes different simulations that analyze the financial impact of investing in smoking cessation based on treatments with scientifically proven effectiveness (cessation advice, telephone and SMS support services and drug prescriptions (nicotine substitution, bupropion and varenicline). Overall, the investment of 1 US$ yields 7.50 US$.

Of the world's 1.3 billion smokers, only 30% have access to smoking cessation support services. According to the WHO, more than 60% of smokers report wanting to quit, and more than 40% have attempted to do so in the past year. However, due to nicotine's highly addictive nature, few smokers are able to quit without effective support.

Significant health and economic benefits from smoking cessation

For the period 2021-2030, investing 1.68 US$$ per capita in smoking cessation in these countries would lead 152 million smokers to quit permanently, with a total of 2.7 million lives saved by 2030.

Thus, the implementation of cessation advice and the proposal for support via telephone line and SMS could lead to 88 million definitive smoking cessations by 2030 with 1.4 million lives saved, and the prescription of drug treatments to 65 million cessations and 1.3 million lives saved.

Because the benefits of quitting continue for many years, by the time ex-smokers reach age 65, every dollar invested will have returned US$7.50.

The effectiveness of drug treatments is particularly cost-effective

Drug treatments for tobacco addiction primarily include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which is available in several forms: cutaneous (patches), oral (gums, lozenges, sprays, inhalers, etc.), and nasal (spray). They can largely control withdrawal symptoms, provided that a sufficient dose of nicotine is prescribed, adapted to each smoker, and NRT is well tolerated. In addition to NRT, two non-nicotine medications can be prescribed: varenicline and bupropion.

While prescription drugs are more expensive, their effectiveness translates into a very profitable return on investment in the long term.[2].

Thus, the WHO recommends that low- and middle-income countries invest, initially, in promoting cessation advice and support telephone and SMS lines. Then, as countries' resources and capacities increase, additional investments in drug treatments should be considered in order to save human lives, while knowing that these investments are financially profitable.

Keywords: WHO, withdrawal, smoking cessation, nicotine replacement therapy, support

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1] . It's time to invest in cessation: the global investment case for tobacco cessation. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. [2] It's time to invest in cessation: the global investment case for tobacco cessation. Methodology and results summary. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. National Committee Against Smoking |