Many tobacco users in the country have been able to quit their habits with the help of the Nicotine Replacement Therapy provided by the Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA). The treatment that started in November last year has been a huge success. However, many of those who have received the treatment and those still undergoing the therapy are concerned the easy availability of tobacco products now could pose a big challenge.
According to the BNCA, within just nine months, the therapy has helped almost 700 people quit tobacco and tobacco products.
On average, at least two people come to BNCA in a day, to avail themselves of the service.
However, after the government lifted the sale of tobacco and tobacco products recently, people are worried they could end up using the products again.
According to one of the patients who did not want to be named, it has become harder to quit smoking since cigarettes are easily available and that too at a cheaper price than before.
She said: “Ever since the tobacco control act has been changed, the cigarettes are available everywhere; every pan shop selling it and when the cigarettes are available at your doorstep and that also at a very cheap rate, it’s very hard for me to quit. But I did go to BNCA before and this is my second session and I was doing quite well but I feel I have relapsed ever since the new act has come into the picture.”
Another patient said, “If addictive substances like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are easily available then we tend to use them. And one is affordability. Recently our government reduced and exempted the tax on tobacco products and there are chances that those people who wanted to quit because of high prices might relapse.”
Currently, there are almost 200 people undergoing therapy at the BNCA. It takes a maximum of two months for a person to complete the whole procedure.
As per the severity, the authority provides gums and patches which will help the tobacco users with withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
“Tobacco contains thousands of chemicals, the most addictive of which is nicotine. Only nicotine is present in the gums and patches that we give. As a result, it replaces tobacco. Clients who use our services claim that it makes them feel like they are consuming tobacco,” said Suk Man Subba, a Counselor with the BNCA.
The therapy is currently available in Thimphu, Monggar, Gelegphu and Wangdue Phodrang. The BNCA says the service will be made available across the country soon. However, given the ease in getting tobacco and tobacco products and that too at cheaper prices, will people come forward to receive the service?
Pema Seldon Tshering
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
