Experts from the NGO “Healthy Initiatives” conducted a workshop for healthcare professionals from Kyiv and the Kyiv region. The meeting focused on the effective methods of helping adult patients quit smoking. The event brought together physicians who regularly work with people suffering from smoking but who are unable to quit smoking due to a heavy dependency and addiction.
Participants discussed best world practice along with practical tools applied to address smoking epidemic.
Particular attention was given to the issue of harm reduction strategy. Without those options, it would be extremely difficult to overcome the smoking epidemic among adults, as these products may be effective for the most persistent smokers unable to quit using only will power.
Clearly, the best option is to stay away from combustible smoking as well as from any other alternative. Many smokers, doubting their ability to quit completely, often don’t even try to minimize the harm caused by conventional smoking. It is important to understand that “reduced harm” does not mean “no harm” but provides adult people who smoke with an option to make a better choice.
The training was conducted in a dynamic format with active participation from physicians, discussion of real clinical cases, and the exchange of experience. One of the most eye-opening moments? Getting to try a smokelyzer—a device that measures the level of carbon monoxide in your breath. A simple breath can reveal so much about what our bodies are fighting.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to all participants for their professionalism, engagement, and willingness to implement effective approaches in their daily medical practice.
