Tobacco kills 1.35 million Indians annually, with quit rates at just 7 per cent. Experts say safer, smoke-free nicotine alternatives could reduce harm and support India’s 2025 tobacco reduction goal, while stressing strict regulation to ensure public health safety.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) offers a 50 per cent higher probability of quitting smoking compared to attempting to quit without it, and it is both safe and readily available without the need for a prescription.
The mental health expert recalled how, in the initial phases of the lockdown, the entire nation clapped in support of the frontline workers to boost their morale and pray for the stronger will of the medical fraternity.
