The World Health Organization’s ‘Quit Tobacco App’ helps people kick the cigarette butt and give up use of tobacco in all forms – including smokeless and other newer products.
“Tobacco is deadly in every form. Innovative approaches such as this app are much needed to support people give up tobacco, which they may be aware is harmful, but are unable to quit for various reasons,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, launching the app.
The app, the first such by WHO, and the first that targets all forms of tobacco, helps users to identify the triggers, set their targets, manage cravings, and stay focused to quit tobacco.
Tobacco is the world’s leading cause of preventable death, and kills nearly 8 million persons every year. It claims 1.6 million lives in the WHO South-East Asia Region which is amongst the largest producers and consumers of tobacco products.
Tobacco use is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCD) including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung diseases and diabetes. Tobacco users are also at higher risk of complication and severe disease in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The ‘WHO Quit Tobacco App’, launched during WHO’s year-long ‘Commit to quit’ campaign, is the latest tobacco control initiative by the WHO South-East Asia Region.
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