Tobacco addiction and smoking cessation efforts in Brazil

Smoking is recognized as a chronic disease caused by nicotine dependence, involving over 4,000 toxic substances, 43 of which are carcinogenic. In Brazil, discussions regarding tobacco use have intensified due to the rising popularity of electronic cigarettes, which are currently prohibited in the country but remain widely used, particularly among youth.

To assist in smoking cessation, municipal health services, such as those in Palmas, offer Therapeutic Support Groups for Smokers (GATTs). These programs provide multidisciplinary monitoring and utilize complementary practices like auriculotherapy. Derived from traditional Chinese medicine, auriculotherapy involves stimulating specific points on the ear to help manage symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and stress that often arise during the process of reducing or quitting nicotine consumption.