Behind the Scenes: The Committed Staff Driving the Success of India’s National Tobacco Quitline Service
As the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute marked World No Tobacco Day, it was the dedication and commitment of the National Tobacco Quitline Service’s (NTQLS) staff that shone through.
The NTQLS, operating under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is more than a service – it’s a lifeline for those grappling with tobacco addiction. Its success is driven by a team of 64 staff members who operate in two shifts, providing counseling from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.
Since its inception in 2016, the NTQLS has answered over seven million calls and counseled over two million individuals. A staggering 156,644 people have successfully quit tobacco with their help, testament to their unwavering dedication.
Their commitment was on full display during the World No Tobacco Day celebration. The staff performed a play titled “We Need Food, Not Tobacco,” reinforcing the importance of their work and echoing the NTQLS’s guiding philosophy: “Those who have not started should not start. Those who have started by mistake should quit.”
As the Institute continues its fight against tobacco, it’s clear that the people behind the scenes at the NTQLS are its strongest asset. Their commitment serves as an inspiration to all those battling tobacco addiction and a reminder of the power of dedicated public health workforces.
Author
