Tobacco quitline services helps 40 per cent callers quit smoking

New Delhi: Nearly, 40 per cent smoker across the Delhi and UP quits smoking after taking a proper counseling from National Tobacco Quitline Services - a project of central government.

Meanwhile, many smokers urging the councellers at centers to help them as smokers are not able to continue their delirious habit due to increase price of tobacco.

The pilot project is being run under the roof of DU's Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, which aims to quit tobacco for a healthier life. project is financially supported by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and inaugurated by Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda.

According to the data from May 30, 2016 to May 31, 2017, majority of the registered callers were educated adults of age 25-64 years, which points to the fact that they were well aware of harmful effects of tobacco use but still chose to indulge in such delirious habits. Interestingly, highest numbers of callers were from Uttar Pradesh, and second runner up is Delhi, who were seeking counseling to help them to quit.

Out of 5,179 registered callers, 2,010 quit smoking or chewing tobacco after receiving counseling in which 97 per cent are male and rest are females. As per the data share, it has also found that 24.9 per cent 12th students (1,291 students) and 25 per cent from 10th standard willing to quit smoking.

"Tobacco Quitline Services are the telephone-based free of cost services, with primary objective to provide counseling for tobacco cessation. These services include support through educational material, in the form of text messages, e-mails and websites," said Professor Raj Kumar, Head, Department of National Center of Respiratory Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (NCRAAI), Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute.

He further added: "The results of program are motivating that people are coming around and seeking help. The toll free service is a good way to reach people who are reluctant to come forward with their problem of addiction due to their fear of being judged or being embarrassed or shy. Hopefully, more people will reach out and come out of it as winner".