A New Drug would Reduce Smoking

According to many studies smoking is linked with depression.

That’s why scholars continue to work hard for to stop smoking. They found an anti-depressant drug, Nortriptyline, the second generation tricyclic antidepressant marketed as the hydrochloride under the trade names Sensoval, Aventyl, Pamelor, Allegron and Nortrilen. It is used in the treatment of major depression and childhood nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting). In addition it is sometimes used for chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain and migraines, and labile affect in some neurological conditions.

They have proved to be effective in stopping smoking addiction and that’s why it will be offered under the universal healthcare scheme to encourage long-term smokers to quit the habit.

Prateep Tanakitcharoen, deputy secretary-general of the National Health Security Office, said that Nortriptyline would be added to the national drug list for to help reduce the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses. It will be offered to patients under the scheme to help them quit smoking.

One tablet costs only one baht and each smoker needs 270 tablets over a period of three months to increase his chances of quitting, said Somsri Pausawasdi, president of Healthcare Network against Tobacco Consumption.

She added: "Although Thailand has been praised worldwide for its efforts to control tobacco, the country could still do more to improve access to treatment among smokers."

An estimated 11 million Thais are smokers. Each year, about 60 billion baht is spent on treating smoking-related illnesses, such as lung cancer, bronchitis, heart and cardiovascular diseases. More than 50,000 Thais die of tobacco-related diseases each year.

Katha Bunditananukul, president of Thai Pharmacy Network for Tobacco Control, said Nortriptyline had more side-effects than newer drugs, including dry mouth and throat, and headaches.

Tests over 20 years had shown that the drug could stop long-term smoking addiction.

In Thailand in February, authorities imposed a ban on smoking in entertainment outlets. The ban covers air-conditioned bars, pubs, discos and clubs.

The number of young Thai female smokers has increased by 10%, according to a survey of 3,093 female students. New smokers are as young as 12 years old.

Anti-smoking researchers found that few anti-smoking campaigns focused on female smokers. They hope that the drug Nortriptyline will decrease the smoking among females not only in Thailand but all over Asia.