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Tobacco Cessation Centers
Tobacco use is the single most important risk
factor in the community and various strategies are being employed for supply
reduction and demand reduction of tobacco and its products. The immediate
benefits of tobacco control can be seen in those who quit tobacco. Tobacco
Cessation is a relatively new area in tobacco control in India. WHO in
collaboration with the Government identified 13 Tobacco cessation
centers in 2002 in diverse
settings (cancer treatment centres, psychiatric centres, medical colleges and
NGOs) to help people to stop tobacco use. Most of
these clinics were operationalized on the 31st
of May, 2002 on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day.
The trained investigators have established centers
at various centres and the WHO supports the staff and infrastructure. Each
centre has a medical officer, clinical psychologists and medical social
workers. Information about the subject is collected on a structured clinical
record form. In addition, the software for a standardized patients
intake form was developed to ensure uniformity in data collation across the
country.
An algorithm was developed which assessed the habit pattern and took
the habitué through logical approach, initiating with simple advice,
behavioural counselling and pharmaceutical treatment.
The tobacco cessation centers act as foci
for community based tobacco control programmes and the centres have
undertaken various activities in the community. Corporates
have been sensitised and the employees who are habituated to tobacco are
being provided with necessary intervention. The centres have also developed
health education materials and various posters and pamphlets.
In 2005, the network of tobacco cessation
centers has been expanded to cover five new states – Mizoram, West Bengal,
Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Assam.
An intensive training program was organized for the staff of these new
centers at the Bangalore
centre at NIMHANS.
Inauguration of TCC at Aizwal, Mizoram
by State Health Minister Pu R. Tlanghmingthanga
on 31st May 2005
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