Global doc panel draws up quit smoking strategy as part of diabetes therapy: What it means

The international consensus recommendations developed by the DiaSmokeFree Working Group emphasize that smoking cessation should be regarded as an essential component of diabetes care for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Dr. Anoop Misra, one of the co-authors, highlights that India faces a dual burden of tobacco use, with smoking and smokeless tobacco being among the highest in the world.

He stresses that the new recommendations move beyond the simple act of quitting and instead recommend a structured approach combining counselling, medication, and relapse prevention. While weight gain or fluctuations in glucose control may occur after quitting, these should not be used as reasons to continue smoking. The consensus group identifies varenicline as the most strongly recommended medication for smoking cessation in people with type 2 diabetes, although nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion are considered reasonable alternatives when varenicline is unavailable or contraindicated.

Clinicians should be aware that quitting smoking can affect drug metabolism and transport, which may lead to changes in the behavior of certain medicines. Early monitoring and management of blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, and potential drug-smoking interactions are crucial during the initial weeks of cessation.