AIIMS Delhi to open Tobacco Cessation Clinic today

New Delhi [India], September 10 (ANI): AIIMS New Delhi is set to open a new Collaborative Team-Based “Tobacco Cessation Clinic (TCC)” at the New RAK OPD as part of the comprehensive “TOBACCO FREE AIIMS”, according to a press release.

The dedicated Tobacco Cessation Clinic (TCC) will be opened on September 10, 2024.

According to the press release, this initiative is a collaborative effort between the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) and the Department of Pulmonary, Critical, and Sleep Medicine, aimed at addressing the significant public health challenge posed by tobacco use in India.

Prof. M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS Delhi, highlighted that the TCC is a crucial step in creating a healthier environment as part of the “Tobacco-Free AIIMS” initiative. The clinic will support individuals struggling with tobacco addiction.

According to an official notification by Dr. Nirupam Madaan, Medical Superintendent, AIIMS, Delhi, the ‘Tobacco Cessation Clinic’ will be made operational in Rooms 519 and 526 in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine in the A-Wing of the 5th floor of the New RAK OPD from September 10 and on every Tuesday morning thereafter. Registration for the same shall begin at 08:30 AM in the ground floor of A-Wing of New RAK OPD Building AIIMS Delhi. Both walk-in and referred patients shall be able to enroll in the clinic through registration.

Dr. Anju Dhawan, Prof.& Chief, NDDTCAIIMS, Delhi, stated that the establishment of tobacco cessation services is a key objective of the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) and is in line with Article 14 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The new Tobacco Cessation Clinic (TCC) at AIIMS New Delhi is designed to meet this need, offering comprehensive services that include pharmacotherapy, psychosocial interventions, and relapse prevention strategies. Additionally, the new TCC will provide an ideal platform to educate, orient, and sensitize medical and nursing students at AIIMS, New Delhi.

Dr. Anant Mohan, Professor &Head , Department of Pulmonary, Critical, and Sleep Medicine, AIIMS Delhi stated that tobacco use remains a leading cause of respiratory diseases such as COPD and lung cancer, with many patients struggling to quit despite serious diagnoses. The clinic will raise public awareness and provide essential medical and psychological support.

Dr. Prabhoo Dayal, Professor & Additional Medical Superintendent, NDDTC, AIIMS Delhi, added that Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death globally, responsible for over 8 million deaths annually, with more than 1.3 million lives lost in India each year. As the third-largest producer and second-largest consumer of tobacco, India faces a major public health crisis. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2 (GATS-2), 28.6% of Indian adults aged 15 and above currently use tobacco in some form. Notably, 55.4% of smokers and 49.7% of smokeless tobacco users are interested in quitting, and 92.4% of all adults recognize the severe health risks associated with smoking. While more than half of adult tobacco users express a desire to quit, many find it difficult to do so without professional support.

Healthcare providers, as the first point of contact for many tobacco users, are uniquely positioned to offer the necessary motivation and assistance to help patients overcome their dependence. This multidisciplinary clinic will bring together specialists in addiction psychiatry, pulmonary medicine, alongside trained counsellors, nurses, and support staff to provide a holistic approach to tobacco cessation. In addition to individual consultations, the clinic will offer group sessions and distribute educational materials such as booklets, brochures, and handouts. Digital tools, including text messaging, will further support patients in their journey to quit tobacco.