Smoking cessation program advances in Latvia
Latvia is set to introduce a new smoking cessation programme called Premium Quit, aimed at helping people quit smoking using an individual, scientifically-based approach with medical and psychological support. The programme, which is based on the experience of other European countries and clinics in the US, targets around 30% or approximately 500,000 regular smokers in the country.
Gints Polis, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, commented on the programme, stating that it aims to help people by using different perspectives. The approach will be based on the smoker's wishes and inner readiness, using a wide variety of therapeutic approaches to find an individual approach for each smoker.
The smoking cessation treatment process takes place in several stages, with a combined approach used throughout. This includes psychological and therapeutic support, as well as medication. The programme representatives claim that such programmes have been showing good results.
However, it's important to note that there is currently no detailed, Latvia-specific information available about the Premium Quit programme, including its success rates or its impact on smoking-related healthcare costs. Searches mainly covered other smoking cessation or substance use apps and programs without mentioning "Premium Quit" or any specific Latvian initiatives.
For instance, the 'Sum Puff' app claims a 70% success rate in helping users quit smoking, but does not specify a geographic focus or whether it is related to Latvia or a premium programme. Other programmes referenced, such as digital coaching for tobacco cessation, are generalised wellness offerings without country-specific data or named "Premium Quit".
In 2000, €24 million, or 8.1% of the healthcare budget, was allocated specifically to smoking-related diseases. By 2014, this figure had risen to €79.3 million. In that year, 56% of the smoking-related disease budget was allocated for cardiovascular diseases, 12% for lung cancer, and 5% for other types of cancer. Every year, approximately 6 million people die worldwide from smoking-related diseases.
Approximately 1.1 billion people worldwide smoke, including about 32% of men and 7% of women. If 10% of these smokers can be helped by the programme, it would still represent a significant number. Dr Bukovskis stated that the consequences of smoking are a significant burden on the Latvian healthcare system.
As more information becomes available about the Premium Quit programme, it will be important to monitor its success and impact on smoking-related healthcare costs in Latvia. Official Latvian health authority reports, academic studies, or the program’s own publications would provide valuable insights into the programme's effectiveness and potential benefits.
- Gints Polis mentioned that the Premium Quit programme, in addition to medical and psychological support, aims to help smokers by using a variety of mental health therapies and treatments, possibly including CBD, as part of its individualized approach.
- The successful implementation of the Premium Quit programme could potentially save a significant amount of money in healthcare costs related to smoking-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, as shown by the increasing budget allocation over the years.
- If the Premium Quit programme can help even a fraction of the estimated 120 million smokers worldwide, it will have a substantial positive impact on global health-and-wellness, including mental health, as well as on the burden of smoking-related diseases on healthcare systems.
