Internet Technology based Research for Smoking Cessation in India-Hope of a New Era
LE01-LE05
Correspondence
Dr. Sumit Malhotra,
B–3/84 A, Lawrence Road, New Delhi-110035, India.
E-mail: drsumitaiims@gmail.com
Tobacco smoking has been a rampant problem in India since decades. It poses a great burden on the socioeconomic life of the individuals and affects country’s progress. Burden of smoking had been on a rise in India. Efforts to curb smoking cessation were made but desired results have not been achieved. In recent time, there is an increase in communicable and non communicable diseases due to smoking. Even second hand smoke imposes a huge burden on the health of the individuals. With failure of the existing strategies to curb the burden, novel methods in promoting smoking cessation ought to be considered. Thus, recent technological advancements can be given a focus. With the launch of digital India, internet based interventions for smoking cessation can be considered in the country. With the growing number of internet users, this method can be promising to yield beneficial results. These interventions are tailored, preserve anonymity and are easily accessible. Hence, this can be an effective medium to reach the masses. Interventions tapping internet as a medium are lacking in India. With many success stories of such interventions around the globe, consideration to conduct such trials can be done in the country. Focused conduct of trials overcoming the constraints of feasibility, acceptability and recruitment of participants is needed to achieve the desired success. With developing technology and changing demands of healthcare, effective internet based interventions are the need of the hour.