Policy recommendation for smoking cessation and treatment of tobacco dependence

© World Health Organization 2003

This report discusses individual approaches (behavioural and/or pharmacological interventions) to treatment of tobacco dependence in addition to the supportive environment needed to encourage tobacco users in their attempts to quit. It also describes how the treatment of tobacco dependence should be part of a comprehensive tobacco control policy along with measures such as, taxation and price policies, advertising restrictions, dissemination of information and establishment of smoke-free public places. It concludes with a set of policy recommendations for smoking cessation and treatment of tobacco dependence that governments, nongovernmental organizations and health professionals should adopt to achieve public health gains in the short and medium term.