Over 20.87 lakh people across the state have sought assistance from Tobacco Cessation Centres (TCCs) to quit tobacco consumption. According to health department data, a total of 20,87,801 individuals approached TCC for counselling and treatment services.Of these, around 43,308 people required pharmacotherapy, a treatment method that uses prescribed medicines to help individuals manage nicotine dependence and withdrawal symptoms. According to officials, nearly 19.5 per cent of those who sought assistance successfully quit the use of tobacco products. Health department officials said TCC is operating in every district of the state to provide counselling, guidance and support to people willing to give up tobacco. In addition to district level centres, two specialised facilities are also functioning at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, and MGM Medical College and Hospital, Jamshedpur. The centres offer behavioural counselling, follow up support and other interventions aimed at helping tobacco users overcome addiction. Experts said counselling plays a crucial role in addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of tobacco dependence. To strengthen awareness, the health department has been conducting extensive community outreach activities across the state. 1,152 focus group discussions and awareness programmes were organised through gram panchayats, self-help groups, youth groups and other community based platforms. Additionally, 1,680 school based tobacco awareness programmes and 96 special school activities and competitions were conducted to educate students about the dangers of tobacco use.

Shashi Prakash Jha, mission director of the National Health Mission (NHM), said, “The initiative is part of a broader public health campaign aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and the diseases associated with it. A month long awareness campaign will be organised to educate people about the harmful effects of tobacco and encourage them to quit the habit.”

Experts emphasised that nicotine replacement therapies, counselling and continuous guidance significantly improve the chances of quitting tobacco successfully. They urged tobacco users to seek professional help and make use of the services available at Tobacco Cessation Centres across the state. Dr Lal Manjhi, nodal officer for non-communicable diseases (NCD), highlighted the importance of counselling services in helping people quit tobacco. “The counselling services provide personalised strategies and support, making it easier for users to navigate the challenges of quitting. Counsellors guide them through the quitting process and offer tools and resources to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms,” said Dr Manjhi. Muna Sahu, a resident of Tharpakhna, who successfully overcame tobacco addiction with professional support, said, “My wife strongly opposed my smoking habit and warned that she would leave me if I did not quit. Despite several attempts, I could not stop on my own. I then sought help from the free counselling services at Sadar Hospital, which helped me overcome my tobacco addiction. Now I am completely free from it.”