World Health Organisation releases new treatment to help people stop smoking
Struggling to quit smoking? These meds might just be what you need.
The World Health Organisation reports that the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced.
It states that tobacco kills more than eight-million people a year around the world.
Although it is common knowledge that smoking kills, quitting is extremely difficult.
To aid those who want to quit but are struggling, the WHO has announced that there are two medicines that are aimed at helping those who want to quit smoking.
READ: South Africa facing stricter anti-smoking laws including possible jail time
The medicines are bupropion and varenicline.
"Two non-nicotine-based medicines – bupropion and varenicline – join nicotine-replacement therapy on the Model List, providing alternative treatment options for people who want to stop smoking," states the WHO.
This is all part of the WHO's ‘Commit to Quit’ campaign goal that would see 100-million people worldwide quitting smoking over the coming year.
According to cancer.org, varenicline is a prescription medicine that works by interfering with nicotine receptors in the brain. It lessens the pleasure a person gets from smoking and it reduces the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Bupropion, on the other hand, is a prescription antidepressant. It helps reduce cravings and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Image courtesy of iStock/ @MarcBruxelle