Smoking cessation

Abstract

South Africa has a particularly high prevalence of smoking compared to the rest of the world. In spite of the fact that smoking rates in South Africa have been declining since the implementation of tobacco control measures in 1993, there are still an estimated 8 million smokers in the country. Smoking has been associated with detrimental heath risks and related complications for decades, and such health issues are further compounded by the high incidence of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome in the population. This article aims to provide an overview of the importance of smoking cessation, and the nonpharmacological and pharmacological measures aimed at ensuring that smokers quit.