Roundtable Discussion on Anti-Smoking Strategies: Approaches and Policies to Limit Non-Smoker Access
On June 8, 2024, in observance of World No Tobacco Day—held annually on May 31st—the medical platform Med.tn organized a dedicated scientific roundtable session. This event, held on June 6, 2024, brought together two distinguished physicians to discuss “Anti-Smoking Efforts: Approaches and Strategies to Reduce Access for Non-Smokers.” This gathering aimed to analyze current challenges and explore effective measures to curb tobacco use.
Understanding and Addressing Tobacco Addiction
The discussion commenced with Dr. Slim Tamboura, a general practitioner, emphasizing the complexity of nicotine dependence. He highlighted the critical importance of raising awareness early and educating youth so they develop protective mechanisms against both active and passive smoking. Dr. Tamboura stressed that prevention begins with fostering resilience among young people to prevent initiation and exposure.
Facilitating Smoking Cessation with Better Access to Support
Looking at strategies to help smokers quit, Dr. Tamboura advocated for making cessation treatments more accessible. He noted, “Access to nicotine replacement therapies and professional counseling should be simplified.” He pointed out that various proven methods—such as psychological counseling, acupuncture, nicotine patches, and heated tobacco products—offer effective pathways toward quitting. It is important to specify, however, that heated tobacco, often presented as a safer alternative to cigarettes, is not intended for individuals who have never smoked, those who have quit, or anyone below the legal smoking age.
Dr. Tamboura further commented, “Unfortunately, these alternatives are not widely available to the general public, and the Tunisian government cannot provide them free of charge due to financial constraints. This leaves many patients feeling abandoned and discouraged in their long battle against tobacco addiction.” This gap in accessible support leaves vulnerable individuals facing a tough challenge without adequate resources.
Medical Perspectives on Alternative Cessation Methods
Adding to this discussion, Dr. Dhaker Lahidheb, a cardiologist and former professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Tunis and at the Military Hospital, shared insights on using alternative products during smoking cessation efforts. Over recent years, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained recognition as a viable tool to reduce the health risks associated with traditional smoking, and as a means to mitigate passive smoke exposure to some extent.
He explained, “Compared to conventional cigarette smoke, vapor from e-cigarettes generally contains fewer toxic substances. This suggests that they might pose a lower risk for those exposed to the vapor in the air.”
Dr. Lahidheb referenced a significant scientific study—conducted by the American Heart Association with over 24,000 participants and published in the journal Circulation in May 2022—that found vapers had up to 40% lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to traditional smokers. However, he cautioned that adults who both vape and smoke simultaneously tend to carry nearly the same cardiovascular risk as daily smokers. He emphasized the importance of tailored substitution therapies during the quitting process, recommending that smokers choose e-liquid nicotine strengths appropriate to their needs to avoid relapse into cigarette smoking during the transition.
The Role of Regulation and Long-Term Management
Dr. Lahidheb highlighted the necessity of providing long-term access to various nicotine concentrations to enable gradual reduction. He also drew attention to the risks posed by attractive packaging and vibrant colors, which could inadvertently encourage continued consumption rather than cessation. The overarching goal, he reaffirmed, is to help smokers quit entirely, not merely to replace cigarettes with electronic devices.
He pointed out that the financial burden borne by the state—covering healthcare costs and productivity losses due to smoking-related illnesses—far exceeds what would be spent on providing nicotine substitutes like gums and patches. Besides nicotine replacement options, he called for a comprehensive approach that includes counseling services, acupuncture, hypnotism, and other alternative therapies—recognizing that each smoker’s needs are unique.
He underscored that combating tobacco dependency must be a national policy, with initiatives rooted in formal institutional frameworks. While healthcare professionals can suggest ideas, concrete action requires systemic implementation and regulation.
Concluding Perspectives: A Holistic Approach to Tobacco Cessation
In closing, the experts emphasized the importance of a broad, integrated strategy to promote smoking cessation. Central to this effort is raising awareness and educating future generations from a young age—establishing an informed, resilient society capable of resisting tobacco’s health threats. They advocated for proactive policy measures, combining public education, accessible support services, regulatory controls, and community engagement, to effectively confront the tobacco epidemic.
By cultivating a comprehensive understanding and providing diverse tools and resources, the overarching aim remains clear: to reduce tobacco use significantly, protect public health, and create environments where non-smokers are shielded from secondhand exposure. The fight against tobacco addiction, according to the consensus, must be sustained through coordinated, state-supported initiatives and continuous societal commitment.
