Smoking cessation in review

The smoking habit is particularly rife in South Africa, compared to the rest of the world. Although smoking rates in South Africa have been declining since the implementation of tobacco control measures in 1993, we still have an estimated eight million smokers in the country. Smoking has been associated with detrimental heath risks and related complications for decades, and such health issues are further compounded by the high incidence of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in the South African population. This article aims to provide an overview of the importance of smoking cessation, and the non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures aimed at successfully quitting the habit of smoking.