July 2024 Newsletter

The July 2024 issue focuses on smoking cessation and public-health policy. The lead story reports a study from Qatar’s Primary Health Care Corporation. The study found that 63.5 percent of visitors to smoking cessation clinics successfully quit smoking. However, some people started smoking again after leaving the programme, showing that long-term follow-up and continued support are important.

The newsletter also discusses illegal cigarettes in Pakistan. It says tax evasion from the illegal cigarette trade may cost the country more than Rs310 billion every year. The article calls for stronger action against illicit trade, better enforcement, and effective use of the track and trace system to protect public revenue.

Another article discusses the U.S. Supreme Court decision affecting regulatory protections. It argues that public-health agencies need the ability to make science-based decisions, especially in areas such as tobacco and nicotine product regulation.

The issue also highlights New Zealand’s progress toward becoming smoke-free by 2025. It says that harm reduction strategies, including access to smoke-free nicotine alternatives, have helped reduce smoking rates. The newsletter also reports research suggesting that gratitude may reduce the desire to smoke and increase interest in quitting support.

The final article discusses a study showing that small financial incentives can improve smoking cessation among people facing socioeconomic challenges. The study found that incentives, when combined with counselling and medication, helped more people quit smoking.

• The main story says smoking cessation clinics in Qatar helped many smokers quit.
• A Qatar study found that 63.5 percent of clinic visitors successfully quit smoking.
• Relapse after quitting remains a challenge and long-term support is important.
• Illegal cigarettes may cost Pakistan more than Rs310 billion every year.
• Strong enforcement and effective track and trace systems are needed to reduce illicit cigarette trade.
• New Zealand is moving toward its smoke-free target by using tobacco harm reduction strategies.
• Gratitude may help reduce the desire to smoke and increase interest in quitting support.
• Financial incentives can improve quit rates among people facing socioeconomic challenges.

The main story discusses a study from Qatar which found that smoking cessation clinics helped many smokers quit. According to the study, 63.5 percent of visitors to Primary Health Care Corporation smoking cessation clinics successfully quit smoking. The story also shows that relapse remains a challenge and that services need wider promotion and better access.