KHCC concludes tobacco dependence treatment training

AMMAN — The King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC) has recently concluded a training workshop on tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) that lasted from March 18 to 22, a statement by KHCC said. 

This five-day course focused on building the capacity and competence of participants to offer effective TDT through a combination of practical exercises and case studies. 

The workshop came as part of KHCC’s programme, the only programme outside the US that is internationally accredited by the Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programmes. 

Director General of KHCC Assem Mansour stated that chemical addiction to nicotine is not only what makes smoking addictive but a combination of behavioural habits, emotional and psychological factors which makes this type of addiction complex.

In a KHCC statement to The Jordan Times, Mansour stressed that the treatment of this addiction should take into account all these combined factors to achieve the best results in helping smokers quit.

He also highlighted the centre's continuous efforts in the fight against tobacco addiction to create a generation of healthy young people who can build a decent future to enhance economic, social, human and health development locally and in the Arab world.

Director of the Cancer Control Office Feras Hawari said that the programme is comprehensive and evidence-informed, noting that it is delivered by experienced hands-on tobacco treatment specialists from the Cancer Control Office, according to the statement. 

By the end of the course, participants are able to recognise the constituents of tobacco products and their effect on the body; understand tobacco dependence and the relevant psychological and social factors; identify the gains of quitting on the short and long term and the evidence behind proven treatment interventions. In addition trainees become capable of implementing skills relevant to conducting the initial assessment, performing counselling, prescribing medications, and developing a customised treatment plan, the statement concluded.