VA can make it easier for you to quit smoking – VA News (.gov)

Report on Veteran Smoking Cessation Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Veteran Health as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development

An analysis of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health programs indicates that over 100,000 veterans successfully cease smoking annually. These efforts are not only improving individual lives but are also making significant contributions to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report outlines the VA’s multi-faceted approach to tobacco cessation, emphasizing its direct and indirect impacts on global sustainability targets, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Core Mission and Outcomes

The primary impact of the VA’s smoking cessation programs is the direct advancement of SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The VA’s “Quit Like a Pro” campaign provides comprehensive support that addresses the challenges of nicotine addiction through evidence-based treatment and counseling, directly contributing to SDG Target 3.4: reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.

Health Benefits and Disease Prevention

Veterans who quit smoking experience immediate and long-term health improvements, which are critical to achieving SDG 3.

1. Within 2 Weeks: Respiratory function improves, making physical activity easier. Senses of taste and smell may improve.
2. Within 1 Year: The risk of heart attack decreases sharply.
3. Within 5-10 Years: The risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, and bladder is reduced by 50%.

Additional benefits include improved sleep, enhanced efficacy of medications for anxiety and depression, and alleviation of some posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, all of which support mental health and well-being targets within SDG 3.

Integrated Support Systems

The VA utilizes a combination of therapies to maximize success rates, as exemplified by the experiences of veterans like Douglas Ferrier and Dustin Johnson. These integrated systems are a model for effective public health intervention.

• Pharmaceutical Support: Medications such as varenicline, nicotine patches, and nicotine gum are provided to manage cravings and block nicotine’s effects.
• Professional Counseling: Individual and group counseling sessions help veterans develop new routines and coping mechanisms.
• Peer Support Networks: Group sessions with fellow veterans provide a crucial layer of accountability and shared experience, fostering a supportive community.

Contributions to Broader Sustainable Development Goals

Beyond health, the positive effects of smoking cessation extend to economic, social, and institutional goals.

SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

Quitting smoking provides significant financial relief for veterans and their families, directly contributing to poverty reduction (SDG 1). The money saved on tobacco products can be reallocated to essential needs. Furthermore, improved health leads to increased productivity and reduced absenteeism from work, supporting the objectives of decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).

SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) & SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

By providing targeted, free, and accessible cessation resources, the VA actively works to reduce health inequalities for the veteran population (SDG 10). Moreover, motivations for quitting often include protecting loved ones from second-hand smoke. This reduction in environmental tobacco smoke contributes to creating healthier and safer homes and public spaces, aligning with the goals of sustainable communities (SDG 11).

Actionable Resources for Veterans

The VA provides several accessible, no-cost resources to support veterans on their journey to becoming smoke-free.

• Consult a VA Health Care Provider: Discuss personalized treatment plans and therapies.
• Call 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838): Access the Quit VET telephone quitline for one-on-one coaching in English or Spanish.
• Text VET to 47848: Enroll in SmokefreeVET for daily tips and encouragement via text message. (For Spanish, text VETesp to 47848).
• Visit the SmokefreeVET Website: Utilize online tools to build a customized quit plan.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The entire article is centered on improving the health of U.S. Veterans by helping them quit smoking. It discusses the severe health risks associated with tobacco use, such as cancer and heart disease, and the immediate and long-term health benefits of quitting. The provision of resources like counseling, medication, and support groups directly contributes to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for this specific population group.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   The article directly supports this target by focusing on a major prevention strategy for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It states that quitting smoking sharply drops the risk of heart attack and cuts the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, and bladder in half. Furthermore, it highlights mental health benefits, noting that stopping smoking can “boost the effectiveness of some anxiety and depression medications” and “alleviate some posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms,” which aligns with the target’s goal to promote mental health and well-being.

2. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

   Nicotine is explicitly identified as an “addictive” substance in the article, and the challenges of “cravings and withdrawal” are acknowledged. The VA’s program, “Quit Like a Pro,” is a comprehensive initiative for the treatment of substance abuse (nicotine addiction). It provides access to medications (varenicline, nicotine patches, gum), counseling, and group support sessions, all of which are core components of strengthening substance abuse treatment as outlined in this target.

3. Target 3.a: Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate.

   The article describes a large-scale, government-supported program (through the Department of Veterans Affairs) aimed at tobacco cessation. This program embodies key principles of the WHO FCTC, particularly Article 14, which calls for demand reduction measures concerning tobacco dependence and cessation. The VA provides comprehensive support, including telephone quitlines (1-855-QUIT-VET), text message support (SmokefreeVET), and access to healthcare providers for treatment plans, directly reflecting the implementation of effective tobacco control policies.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Prevalence of current tobacco use among the veteran population.

  This is a primary indicator for Target 3.a. The article implicitly refers to this by citing a “VA Survey of Veteran Enrollees’ Health and Use of Health Care.” Tracking the percentage of veterans who smoke over time would measure the overall success of the VA’s tobacco control programs.

• Number of veterans who successfully quit smoking annually.

  The article explicitly states, “Every year more than 100,000 Veterans stop smoking.” This figure serves as a direct performance indicator for the effectiveness of the prevention and treatment measures described under Targets 3.4 and 3.5.

• Number of veterans accessing and utilizing tobacco cessation services.

  This is an implied indicator for Target 3.5. The article details numerous resources available, such as the Quit VET telephone line, the SmokefreeVET text service, counseling, and group sessions. Measuring the uptake of these services (e.g., calls to the quitline, enrollment in text programs, number of prescriptions for cessation medications) would demonstrate the strengthening of treatment for substance abuse.

• Reduction in mortality and morbidity from smoking-related NCDs among veterans.

  This is a long-term indicator for Target 3.4. The article mentions that quitting reduces the risk of heart attack and various cancers. Progress towards this target could be measured by tracking the incidence rates of these specific diseases within the veteran population over several years.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.va.gov