NICE Guidelines NG209: Tackling Tobacco Use and Promoting Quitting

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has released updated guidance aimed at reducing tobacco use across the UK. The comprehensive guideline, titled "Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence" (NG209), was initially published on 30 November 2021 and has recently been updated as of 4 February 2025.

NG209 provides evidence-based recommendations to support individuals aged 12 and over in quitting smoking and to prevent the initiation of smoking among children, young people, and adults up to 24 years old. The guideline emphasizes the importance of identifying and assessing individuals' smoking habits, offering effective stop-smoking interventions, and providing support in both primary and secondary care settings.

A notable update in this version is the inclusion of new evidence supporting the use of cytisinicline (also known as cytisine) as a stop-smoking intervention. This addition reflects NICE's commitment to incorporating the latest research to enhance public health strategies.

The guideline also addresses harm reduction for those not ready to quit entirely, strategies to prevent smoking uptake among young people, and the importance of policy, commissioning, and training to support these initiatives.

NICE's guidance serves as a crucial resource for healthcare providers, policymakers, and public health professionals dedicated to reducing the prevalence of smoking and its associated health risks.

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