Nicotine replacement gums to tackle tobacco addiction

Nicotine replacement gums to tackle tobacco addiction

PUNE: The Government of India (GoI) further strengthened its commitment to fight tobacco addiction in the country by introducing Nirmal, a Nicotine Replacement gum under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). Launched recently, it is an important step by the government to achieve the objectives as per the National Health Policy 2017. Nirmal is expected to be available in various districts across the country in the Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendras.

Tobacco use is one of the major hurdles to economic development among low-income communities and countries like India. Now widely realised, its adverse effects include morbidity, impairment of productivity and heavy healthcare costs, which drives families to bankruptcy and debt traps. 80 per cent of the smokers in India are from low-income families and there are an estimated 30 million smokers in the country. Nicotine gum is expected to reduce the demographic burden considerably.

According to Dr Jagannath P, former state consultant for Karnataka, who also worked for a WHO-funded project on the National Tobacco Control Program, said that he was very happy with the step.

When the WHO announced Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) as a frontline aid to the cessation of smoking, it went on to become a super successful means to quell the urge among smokers worldwide. Through this initiative, the government has taken a bold step towards reducing casualties due to tobacco addiction, said Dr Jagannath P.

He further added that it is an innovative therapy, which helps quitters with small quantities of nicotine but without the other harmful and cancer causing chemicals that are the usual accompaniments in cigarettes.

The small nicotine quantities help a smoker overcome the urge, build the person’s willpower to quit and prevents withdrawal symptoms normally associated with cigarette quitting. Nirmal is a low-cost solution to combat cancer and other debilitating morbidities, severely affecting our lives and the economy of our fast developing country, added another official.

The inclusion of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in the mainstream de-addiction drive is a progressive and welcome move, which would have far-reaching impact on the physical and economic health of the country.

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