What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to evaluate the implementation of tobacco cessation interventions in the Americas since 2007.

February 2, 2026Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública0 citationsOpen Access

Strengthening tobacco cessation across the primary health sector in the Americas: progress, gaps, and opportunities since 2007

AGAdriana Bacelar Ferreira Gomes DFDongbo FU RSRosa Carolina Sandoval

Puntos clave

The aim is to evaluate the implementation of tobacco cessation interventions in the Americas since 2007.
Analyzed progress in tobacco cessation implementation based on WHO recommendations.
Focused on availability and integration of services within health systems
Examined cost coverage of cessation support across the Region of the Americas.
Only 7 of 35 countries achieved the highest level of cessation support including free quit lines and NRT.
Over 70% of the population is in these countries, but significant gaps remain, especially in the Caribbean.
NRT and pharmacological treatments are inadequately available and often not covered.
Quit lines function in only 40% of the countries, highlighting ongoing disparities.

Resumen

ABSTRACT Objective. Tobacco use is a major modifiable risk factor for the four main noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) globally—cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory conditions, cancer, and diabetes. Addressing tobacco use through cessation interventions is therefore a cornerstone of comprehensive NCD prevention and control efforts. In this context, strengthening cessation support within primary health care has emerged as a high-impact and cost-effective strategy to accelerate progress toward NCD targets. Methods. Despite advances in tobacco control, cessation support remains insufficiently implemented across much of the Region of the Americas. This article examines progress made between 2007 and 2024 in implementing the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended tobacco cessation measures, with a focus on the availability, cost coverage, and integration of services within health systems. Results. Only 7 of the 35 countries in the Americas achieved the highest level of cessation support, which combines national free quit lines, the availability of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and the provision of cessation services with partial or full cost coverage. Although these countries represent over 70% of the population, disparities persist—particularly in the Caribbean and in lower-middle-income countries. Findings show that NRT and other pharmacological treatments are inconsistently available, treatment costs are often not covered, and quit lines operate in only 40% of countries. These gaps underscore the urgent need for stronger policies, sustainable financing, and improved health system coordination. Conclusion. Tobacco cessation must be prioritized as an essential health service, integrated into national NCD strategies, and supported by legal and institutional frameworks guaranteeing equitable access. Strengthening cessation is essential to reducing tobacco use and its health and economic burden across the Americas.

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