Sonu Goel1, Kamran Siddiqi2, Rana J Singh3, Pranay Lal3, Mira B Aghi3, Prakash Gupta4, Helen Elsey5, Garima Bhatt6. 1. Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, India; MPOWER Research Group-The Union. Electronic address: sonugoel007@yahoo.co.in. 2. University of York, UK; MPOWER Research Group-The Union. 3. International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease; MPOWER Research Group-The Union. 4. Healis - Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, India. 5. University of York, UK. 6. Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the key targets for countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. In current times we are grappling with dual burden of tuberculosis as well as tobacco use. METHODS: There is sufficient evidence to establish that tobacco smoking significantly spikes up the risk of acquiring, developing and death among tuberculosis patients. Active or passive exposure to tobacco smoke is significantly associated with tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis disease, independent of a large number of other potential confounders. RESULTS: Despite having substantial evidence about the impact of tobacco control measures, particularly tobacco cessation, on TB outcomes, the integration of TB and tobacco control still remains far-off. CONCLUSION: It is high time when TB control programs must begin to address tobacco control as a potential preventive intervention to combat colliding epidemics of tobacco and tuberculosis. This white paper discusses about the role of tobacco control in reaching the ambitious goal of ending TB epidemic by 2030.
BACKGROUND: Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the key targets for countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. In current times we are grappling with dual burden of tuberculosis as well as tobacco use. METHODS: There is sufficient evidence to establish that tobacco smoking significantly spikes up the risk of acquiring, developing and death among tuberculosispatients. Active or passive exposure to tobacco smoke is significantly associated with tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis disease, independent of a large number of other potential confounders. RESULTS: Despite having substantial evidence about the impact of tobacco control measures, particularly tobacco cessation, on TB outcomes, the integration of TB and tobacco control still remains far-off. CONCLUSION: It is high time when TB control programs must begin to address tobacco control as a potential preventive intervention to combat colliding epidemics of tobacco and tuberculosis. This white paper discusses about the role of tobacco control in reaching the ambitious goal of ending TB epidemic by 2030.