Newz Desk, Durgapur: As Kolkata opens specialised Smoking Cessation Clinics in two major hospitals, public health experts say such centres are urgently needed in industrial cities like Durgapur, where pollution levels, occupational hazards, and smoking habits together pose a serious threat to respiratory health.
Industrial zones like Durgapur, Raniganj and Asansol known for its steel plants, coal-handling units, and heavy manufacturing clusters, already experience high levels of particulate matter and toxic emissions. Doctors warn that when industrial pollution combines with long-term smoking, the risk of chronic lung diseases multiplies sharply.
Pulmonologists Dr. Prashant Kumar point out ‘That smoking not only damages the airways and alveoli but also worsens conditions triggered by industrial pollutants. “Workers exposed to dust, fumes and chemicals face a far greater threat if they are also smokers. Their lungs remain under constant stress,”.
Across West Bengal, the number of smokers has been rising steadily—including among young adults and women. In Durgapur too, doctors have reported increasing cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), lung infections, and lifestyle-related respiratory disorders. Many of these illnesses require long-term treatment, making them financially draining for families.
Dr. Debaraj Josh, pulmonologist and in-charge of the new clinics opened at Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, and Manipal Hospital, Salt Lake Sector III, said that anyone willing to give up smoking can walk in and seek support. “The first question we ask is simple—does the person truly want to quit? Once that intent is clear, we guide them step by step. Quitting smoking is not something that happens overnight; people need structured counselling and medical support,” he explained.
This is why dedicated Smoking Cessation Clinics can play a major role in industrial cities. These clinics offer structured counselling, the Fagerström Test to measure nicotine dependence, and clinically approved medications such as varenicline and bupropion to help smokers quit safely and gradually. Physicians emphasise that quitting smoking is rarely possible without guidance, especially for long-term users.
Moreover, most people are still unaware of the national quit-smoking helpline 1800-11-2356, despite its proven effectiveness. Doctors believe that wider publicity, along with dedicated clinics, could encourage more individuals to take the first step toward quitting.
The economics also favour smoking cessation. While COPD treatment can run into heavy, long-term expenses, quitting smoking through medical support costs comparatively little. “With around ₹7,000–₹8,000, a smoker can complete the full course to quit. But COPD treatment continues for years,” experts note.
For a pollution-burdened industrial hub like Durgapur, such clinics would not only help individuals lead healthier lives but also reduce the growing burden of respiratory diseases on the healthcare system.
Public health advocates now urge that Smoking Cessation Clinics—already functional in Kolkata—be expanded to industrial regions at the earliest to protect workers, youth and vulnerable populations from avoidable lung damage and long-term financial strain.
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