Q&A: Global and national tobacco cessation investment cases

There are 1.3 billion tobacco users in the world and most of them live in low- and middle-income countries. The global investment case provides sound economic arguments for why increased investment in comprehensive tobacco cessation services globally saves lives and money. These services include proven interventions like brief advice, quit lines, digital quit tools (mCessation), nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline and bupropion. 

The global investment case is based on an analysis of the return on investment in 124 low- and middle-income countries. It shows that by the time the quitters reach 65 years, 16 million lives would be saved and each dollar invested would have yielded $7.50 in gains. Tobacco is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases, like cancer, lung disorders, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which represent the highest burden of disease globally. Investing in tobacco cessation support saves lives, and fosters healthier populations and economies worldwide.

By building on the framework of the global investment case, the national investment cases represent a deep dive into economic and political contexts in countries and provides an economic rationale for national decision makers to invest in proven tobacco cessation interventions.

• It’s time to invest in tobacco cessation in LMICs. The case for investment in tobacco cessation has never been clearer- Investing 21 cents per capita annually for three population-level interventions can lead to 1.4 million lives saved by 2030; $1.68 per capita per year for comprehensive tobacco cessation interventions in 10 years saves 16 million lives.
• The national tobacco cessation investment case methodology incorporates both economic and political perspectives to ensure that the recommendations on domestic investment in tobacco cessation are made in the context of institutional capacities and economic and political environments.