Using non-communicable disease clinics for tobacco cessation: A promising perspective

Globally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 38 million (68%) of the world's 56 million deaths, of which 28 million occur in low- and middle-income countries. Tobacco use is a major preventable and modifiable behavioural risk factor for NCDs. It takes annually a toll of over 7 million people and by 2030, it is anticipated to kill over 8 million people every year. Internationally, WHO has advocated the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and MPOWER policy to combat the tobacco epidemic. As part of its global commitment towards tobacco control, the Government of India has enacted a comprehensive law, namely Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, in 2003, for governing tobacco control in the country followed by launching of the National Tobacco Control Programme for its effective implementation along with strengthening of tobacco cessation facilities at national and sub-national levels. As per the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke, there is a provision of screening of risk factors for NCDs (including tobacco) besides providing treatment and behavioural advice for NCDs. However, presently, tobacco cessation services for NCD patients are under-utilized, probably due to lack of a skilled and dedicated workforce. Delivery of effective patient-centric, disease-specific, culturally sensitive tobacco cessation services at an NCD clinic might efficiently reduce complications of NCDs among patients using tobacco and might further reduce morbidity and mortality attributable to NCDs in India.