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```json { "title": "Fighting Tobacco Addiction: The Impact of DU's Patel Chest Institute", "meta_description": "Discover how DU's Patel Chest Institute is tackling tobacco addiction, one call at a time, through proactive counselling and community support.", "tags": ["Tobacco Addiction", "Health Initiatives", "Counselling Services", "Public Health", "Delhi University"], "content": "

Inside a humble building at Delhi University's Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, a relentless effort against tobacco addiction is underway.

For the counsellors at the National Tobacco Quitline Services, each phone call represents a chance to help someone escape a lifetime of nicotine dependency and associated health risks.

In 2024 alone, the Quitline recorded 94,788 callers, highlighting the widespread issue of tobacco use and an increasing awareness of the need to quit.

Although all callers received an initial proactive counselling call, the data shows that the emotional and behavioral challenges of quitting tobacco are complex. Engagement dropped significantly with subsequent calls: 61% answered the second call, 33% responded to the third, and only 26.9% maintained contact until the fourth.

However, amidst these declining numbers, a noteworthy statistic emerged: 19,253 individuals successfully quit tobacco, marking a 20.31% success rate, which is impressive considering the deep-rooted cultural and social factors surrounding tobacco use.

Only 266 users admitted to relapsing, yet counsellors believe the true number is likely higher, as many individuals feel shame and fear that prevent them from reporting setbacks.

Quitline users are diverse, with the highest percentage coming from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. In contrast, participation from Northeastern states was minimal, with Sikkim receiving just 10 calls and Mizoram three.

In 2024, Delhi's Quitline service received 3,369 calls, placing it in the mid-range for call volumes among states.

Men made up 91% of callers, reflecting a longstanding trend in tobacco use. The majority of callers were young adults, with over 76% under 34, many calling discreetly from work or hostel rooms.

Most callers were users of smokeless tobacco, often reliant on products marketed as "safe." Many work in the informal sector—drivers, plumbers, and shop assistants—who tend to start using tobacco early and lack adequate support to quit.

Behind rows of headsets, the Quitline's 100 trained counsellors provide essential support in this public health crisis. VPCI Director Raj Kumar recalls the chaotic first day of operations in 2016, when the center received nearly 50,000 calls. Today, the Delhi center alone still receives about 7,000 calls daily.

Across all centers, including newer locations in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Guwahati, daily call volumes reach around 15,000.

Each caller is registered following a casual conversation that avoids making it feel like a survey. Counsellors assist users in setting a "quit date," a significant day chosen within a week, often linked to personal milestones like birthdays or anniversaries.

The service employs a proactive counselling model, providing pre-quit and quit-day calls, followed by follow-ups at one month, three months, six months, and one year.

Kumar emphasizes that proactive outreach is more effective than waiting for users to reach out: "Addiction is emotional. When individuals feel we are invested in their journey, they are more committed to quitting."

Trained in WHO-recommended behavioral techniques, counsellors use methods like the 5As and 5Rs to recognize danger situations and develop coping skills.

Kumar notes that by helping people quit tobacco, they are also benefiting families and society—"this is nation-building work."

A significant milestone came in 2018 when the Union Health Ministry expanded the Quitline beyond Delhi, establishing regional centers in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Guwahati, which have adopted the Patel Chest Institute's counselling model.

These centers now form a national network that operates in 15 languages and collectively manages approximately 15,000 calls daily.

The service's multilingual outreach enhances accessibility, while future plans include AI-supported counselling assistants to manage high volumes and tailor interventions.

Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh views the Institute's efforts as a vital national contribution, particularly noting the government's initiative to print the Quitline number on all tobacco products, which has engaged millions.

For now, counsellors continue their mission, coaxing, consoling, and celebrating small victories with each caller.

Every call serves as a reminder that India's tobacco crisis is substantial, yet the desire to quit grows stronger, one call at a time.

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