Status and costs of smoking cessation in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional observational study was to address the health care situation in regard to smoking cessation efforts and expenditure, and to provide a basis for future studies and for implementing tobacco control programmes throughout the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization. Information collected included methods and cost of services for tobacco cessation from all 16 participating countries. In 10 countries, cessation programmes were directed by primary physicians. In 13 countries, nicotine gum and in 14 countries nicotine patches were accessible in pharmacies. Bupropion was available at pharmacies (with a written prescription) in 6 countries and varenicline in 7 countries. However, the mean cost of each service was significantly higher than the price of a pack of cigarettes. In countries with support services for tobacco cessation, directors need to provide care at the society level that is considerably less costly and widely accessible.

Quitting smoking and utilization of smoking cessation services in Jordan: a population-based survey

“…We agree with the suggestions of Abdullah and Husten that increasing the cost of cigarette smoking in developing countries by increasing taxes would have an impact on reducing smoking and increasing the readiness to quit (17). It is worth mentioning that an important barrier to utilizing smoking cessation intervention is the higher cost of tobacco quitting services compared with the price of cigarettes (16). The role of education seems perplexing, as those with intermediate education in our study were less likely to attempt to quit smoking.…”

“…Initially, it seems that cost was unlikely to be a motivational factor to quit smoking among Jordanians, as income level was not associated with attempting to quit smoking. However, this observation could be due to the low price of cigarettes not only in Jordan but also in other (16). We agree with the suggestions of Abdullah and Husten that increasing the cost of cigarette smoking in developing countries by increasing taxes would have an impact on reducing smoking and increasing the readiness to quit (17).…”

Quit tobacco clinics in Bahrain: smoking cessation rates and patient satisfaction

“…The tobacco smoking rates are still high in most EMR countries; including GCC countries, despite serious smoking control efforts [4]. The tobacco prevalence in the region is about 32.0% for adults (≥15 years) and 36.0% for youth between 13 to15 years and it is on the increase in younger populations.…”

“…Quitting tobacco is often challenging for smokers without support [4, 6]. However, about 84.0% of smokers can quit if they receive advice from a physician [1].…”

“…Bahrain ratified the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2007 and passed an antismoking law in 1994 with a modified one in 2009 [4]. Tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship are banned in the country [10].…”