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Tobacco Cessation: A comprehensive Guide to Healthcare Professionals

By Prof. Neha Agrawal   |   Aligarh Muslim University
Learners enrolled: 375   |  Exam registration: 3
ABOUT THE COURSE:
Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable diseases and premature deaths worldwide. Despite extensive public health efforts, millions continue to struggle with tobacco dependence, making it crucial for healthcare professionals to play an active role in cessation strategies.

This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is designed to equip healthcare professionals—including dentists, physicians, nurses, and public health practitioners—with the essential knowledge and practical skills to support individuals in quitting tobacco. The program provides a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to understanding the harmful effects of tobacco, behavioral and pharmacological interventions, counseling techniques, and the implementation of tobacco cessation programs in clinical and community settings.

This course will enhance ability of health care professionals to deliver effective cessation support, integrate tobacco cessation into routine healthcare practice, and contribute to broader public health initiatives aimed at reducing tobacco use.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Dentists and Dental Hygienists
Medical Professionals
Psychologists and Counselors
Public Health Professionals
Policy Makers and Advocates
Community and Social Workers
Tobacco Control Activist

PREREQUISITES: Higher secondary education (or equivalent), Undergraduates in a health-related field (e.g., BDS, MBBS, Diploma) or Social work, and post graduates in health-related field (e.g., BDS, MBBS, Diploma) or Social work

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Relevant for healthcare organizations, Medical Colleges, Dental Colleges, and NGOs/Agenesis involved in tobacco cessation programs.
Summary
Course Status : Upcoming
Course Type : Elective
Language for course content : English
Duration : 8 weeks
Category :
  • Public health
Credit Points : 2
Level : Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date : 18 Aug 2025
End Date : 10 Oct 2025
Enrollment Ends : 18 Aug 2025
Exam Registration Ends : 29 Aug 2025
Exam Date : 24 Oct 2025 IST
NCrF Level   : 6.0

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.


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Course layout

Week 1:  Introduction to Tobacco Cessation

1. Understanding the objectives of tobacco cessation programs 
2. Global history of Tobacco 
3. Global and Indian overview of the tobacco epidemic 
4. Economic and societal impact of tobacco use 
5. Role of healthcare professionals in tobacco cessation


Week 2: The Science of Tobacco Addiction

1. Neurobiology of nicotine dependence 
2. Stages of development of addiction 
3. Types of tobacco products
4. Mechanisms of addiction and habit formation 
5. Dual Use and Polysubstance Abuse in Tobacco Cessation

Week 3: Health Impacts of Tobacco Use

1. Systemic effects of tobacco use on the body 
2. Tobacco’s impact on oral health – A comprehensive overview 
3. Tobacco's Impact on Vulnerable Populations: A Public Health Crisis
4. Environmental tobacco smoke and its health consequences 
5. Oral Cancer: A Public Health Perspective


Week 4: Principles of Tobacco Cessation Counselling

1. The 5 A’s of tobacco cessation 
2. FRAMES and stages of change in tobacco cessation 
3. Basics of motivational interviewing and its role in behaviour change 
4. Building rapport with patients for effective counselling 
5. Understanding Barriers to Tobacco Cessation


Week 5: Behavioural Interventions and Pharmacological Interventions

1. Breaking Free: CBT for tobacco cessation
2. Overview of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) 
3. Non-nicotine medications (bupropion, varenicline) and their mechanisms 
4. Behavioural interventions and pharmacotherapy-Case based discussion
5. Behavioural interventions and pharmacotherapy-Case based discussion


Week 6: Special Considerations in Tobacco Cessation

1. Addressing tobacco use in adolescents and young adults 
2. Management aspects of tobacco cessation among patients with mental health disorders
3. Beyond Cigarettes & Gutkha: Helping patients quit other forms of tobacco
4. Tobacco Myths and Facts
5. Tobacco cessation in low-literacy populations 


Week 7: Management of Withdrawal Symptoms, Screening, and Assessment

1. Understanding Withdrawal Symptoms and Relapse Management 
2. Stress management and relapse prevention strategies for tobacco addiction
3. Lab investigations and technology interventions in tobacco cessation 
4. Assessing readiness to quit and motivational factors 
5. Evaluation and Monitoring in Tobacco Cessation


Week 8: Tobacco Control in Public Health and Clinical Practice

1. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
2. Overview of India’s National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) and related laws 
3. Operational guidelines for establishing Tobacco Cessation centers
4. Community-based approaches to tobacco control 
5. Designing and implementing a tobacco cessation campaign 

Books and references

National Tobacco Control Programme Guidelines/Manuals
https://ntcp.mohfw.gov.in/guidelines_manuals

1. Manual on Tobacco Control in Schools
2. National Tobacco Control Programme-Health Worker Guide
3. Training Manual for Doctors-National Tobacco Control Programme
4. Tobacco Dependence Treatment Guidelines
5. Guidelines for Law Enforcers for effective implementation of Tobacco Control Laws 2013
6. Operational Guidelines - National Tobacco Control Programme
7 Establishment of Tobacco Cessation Centers in Dental Institutes-An Integrated Approach in India-Operational Guidelines 2018
8. Revised Guidelines for Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI)
9. Operational Guidelines for National Tobacco Testing Laboratories (NTTL)
10. Reference Manual for Tobacco Cessation NRC TCC

WHO clinical treatment guideline for tobacco cessation in adults. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240096431?utm_source

Tobacco dependence treatment guidelines. National Tobacco Control Programme Directorate General of Health Services. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Government of India. (https://ntcp.mohfw.gov.in/assets/document/Guideline-manuals/Tobacco-Dependence-Treatment-Guidelines.pdf)

Andy McEwen, Peter Hajek, Hayden McRobbie, Robert West.2008. Manual of Smoking Cessation: A Guide for Counsellors and Practitioners. Wiley-Blackwell ISBN: 978-0-470-75784-0.

Report on tobacco control in India 2022. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Government of India.


Report on tobacco control in India. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Government of India. https://ntcp.mohfw.gov.in/assets/document/surveys-reports-publications/Report-on-Tobacco-Control-in-India.pdf.

Instructor bio

Prof. Neha Agrawal

Aligarh Muslim University
Dr. Neha Agrawal is a distinguished academician and clinician, currently serving as the Chairperson of the Department of Periodontia and Community Dentistry and the Head of the PG Unit Public Heath Dentistry at AMU. With extensive experience in teaching and clinical practice, she mentors MDS, final-year BDS and Hygienist students. She also leads the dental clinic at the Medical Attendance Scheme, guiding interns in clinical training. Actively engaged in academic governance, she is a member of the Academic Council, Board of Studies, and Faculty of Medicine, contributing to curriculum development and institutional quality enhancement. A strong advocate for public health, she is actively involved in tobacco cessation initiatives, conducting awareness programs, training sessions, and research to combat tobacco use among adolescents and young adults. Additionally, she is dedicated to community service, organizing various health camps and public health initiatives. She has published 62 articles in reputed International and National journals and serves as an editorial member and reviewer for various journals.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.
The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).
Date and Time of Exams: 24 October 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.
Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.
The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.
Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 6 assignments out of the total 8 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup. It will have the logos of INI and AMU.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- INI Team


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