Tobacco key hurdle in TB elimination: NTEP official

Mysuru: Emphasising the interlinked nature of the twin public health challenges, National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) deputy director Dr Anil said, “We cannot eliminate TB while tobacco remains unaddressed.”Addressing a divisional-level workshop on TB–tobacco integration, organised by the State Tobacco Control Cell, Karnataka, in collaboration with NTEP at the State Institute for Urban Development as part of World No Tobacco Day 2026 on Friday, he said the two battles must be fought together.According to officials, more than 22.8% of adults in Karnataka — nearly 93–94 lakh people — use tobacco in some form. Tobacco users are nearly twice as likely to develop active TB, while continued tobacco use during treatment increases the risk of treatment failure, relapse and death nearly threefold. However, less than 1.3% currently have access to cessation services. The workshop focused on bridging this gap by equipping newly posted district officers with practical tools, data and implementation protocols to strengthen field-level interventions.Dr Mallika, deputy director at the Divisional Joint Director’s Office, Mysuru, stressed the importance of coordinated action. Dr Rajni, deputy director of Mental Health and NTCP, said every TB patient represents an opportunity for tobacco cessation intervention.Dr Kumaraswamy, district health officer, Mysuru, called for effective implementation at the grassroots level.