Comprehensive approach to Tobacco Cessation services in the Western Balkan countries and Malta

 Since tobacco use presents a major threat to human health, killing over 8 million people every year, our objective is to decrease the global burden of diseases caused by tobacco, by fully implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and other measures for tobacco control. Article 14 of the Convention underlines the need for national tobacco cessation services, including counselling at the primary healthcare level, training of the healthcare providers, as well as digital support. Providing cost-effective support at the population level is critical for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases.

The goal of this workshop, organized by the WHO Europe’s Special Initiative on Noncommunicable Diseases and Innovation was to strengthen the capacities of Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Malta. The participants increased their knowledge of the comprehensive national tobacco cessation services and shared their practices and experiences in cost-effectiveness of the tobacco cessation strategies, their key components, the challenges and opportunities, as well as the monitoring, evaluation, and planning of efficient interventions.