23.9% of the Swiss population aged 15 and over smokes. This figure rises to 25.7% in Ticino. These figures have not decreased over time: despite prevention campaigns and widespread awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco, aggressive marketing and new products have failed to reduce the number of smokers.

Quitting smoking is a complex process, partly because nicotine is a highly addictive substance. There are no miracle cures, only paths fraught with frustrating relapses, in which smokers must find their own resources and motivation to quit.

To support those who want to quit smoking, there is a network of tobacco specialists. Doctors and consultants can accompany them on their journey to overcome this addiction. This network was consolidated in 2022 with the first CAS in Tobacco Studies, a training course launched by SUPSI as a first in Switzerland and ready to be offered to health professionals. 

We discuss this with:

Dea Degabriel, specialist in general internal medicine and head of the tobacco addiction center at the Lugano Regional Hospital (EOC);

Elena Haechler, tobacco addiction counselor at the Lega Polmonare Ticinese;

Mauro Realini, senior lecturer at SUPSI and head of the CAS Tabaccologia.