Rationale
In 2008, WHO introduced the MPOWER package to assist in the country-level implementation of six effective measures to reduce demand for tobacco products. Each measure reflects at least one provision of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The letter O in MPOWER denotes the "Offer help to quit tobacco use" measure. Tobacco dependence treatment is primarily the responsibility of each country’s health-care system. Individual cessation interventions have a significant impact on individual health and are extremely cost-effective compared with many other health system activities. People who quit smoking, regardless of their age, smoking history or health status, experience immediate and profound health benefits and can reduce most of the associated risks within a few years of quitting. This indicator measures the implementation status of the O measure.
Definition
Offer help to quit tobbacco Information from countries on the availability and non-availability of particular tobacco cessation aids is assessed to determine the comparative level of assistance countries provide to help tobacco users quit.
Cessation support means offering brief advice or individual or group activities to aid cessation (which can include providing information about quit lines or recommendations concerning pharmaceutical treatments) by primary care providers but does not include quit lines and pharmaceutical treatments.
A toll-free quit line is operational , to which anyone in the country can dial in free of charge to receive quit tobacco advice or tobacco cessation support in the form of brief or intensive behavioral counselling (Yes/No).
For the below five indicators measuring availability of cessation supports in specific places: the categories: "Yes in most" means in more than half. "Yes in some" means in less than half . "No" means in none at all.
Smoking cessation support available in health clinics or other primary health care facilities are the physical facilities exist in the community -- usually called the community health center or the primary health center -- used to address the main health problems in the community and used for both health care and other community activities.
Smoking cessation support is offered in hospitals. "Hospitals" include all licensed establishments primarily engaged in providing medical, diagnostic, and treatment services that include physician, nursing, and other health services to in-patients and the specialized accommodation services required by in-patients. These establishments may also provide out-patient services as a secondary activity.
Smoking cessation support available at offices of health professionals. Any professional health service provision from a consultation with a person with a formal medical health training that is not located in a hospital clinic or primary care facility. This includes private doctors, nurses, psychologists, and medical assistants. Cessation support provided by traditional or faith healers is considered "in the community", not "at offices of health professionals".
Smoking cessation support is offered in the community. "In the community" means any setting specifically designed to serve the needs of the local population. This includes but is not limited to places of worship, sports or leisure centers, cultural and arts centers, adult training centers, childcare facilities, traditional meeting areas and the services of traditional or faith healers.
Smoking cessation support is offered in settings not elsewhere classified (i.e. not in hospitals, health clinics, other primary care facilities, offices of health professionals or in the community).
The national/federal health insurance or the national health service cover the cost of smoking cessation support: in health clinics and other primary care facilities, in hospitals, in offices of health professionals, in the community or in other non-listed places. Cost coverage is complete "Fully", partial "partially" or inexistent "no".
Smoking cessation medication is legally sold Available for purchase on the legal market
- At least one type of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (such as patches, lozenges, gum, mouth or nasal s
- Some brand of Bupropion (such as Zyban or Wellbutrin)
- Varenicline (also known as Chantix or Champix)
- Cytisine
Smoking cessation medication is available for purchase "in a general store without a prescription", "in a pharmacy without a prescription" or at a pharmacy without prescription
- At least one type of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (such as patches, lozenges, gum, mouth or nasal spray)
- Some brand of Bupropion (such as Zyban or Wellbutrin)
- Varenicline (also known as Chantix or Champix)
- Cytisine
Method of estimation
Country reported data, scored according to the definition of this indicator.
