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World No Tobacco Day: Help for those who want to quit smoking.
Published on 31/05/2026 - 11:44 | Updated
Civil firefighter Gilson Motta is one of the patients who decided to leave their addiction behind. Photo: Edu Kapps/SMS The Municipal Health Department (SMS) of Rio de Janeiro reinforces, on Sunday (May 31st), World No Tobacco Day, the importance of prevention and combating smoking, in order to alert Rio residents about the harmful effects of the disease. Through the SMS, the Rio de Janeiro City Hall offers free smoking cessation treatment in all 240 Primary Care units (family clinics and municipal health centers) in the city. The services, provided in groups or individually, aim to support patients and follow specialized treatment for each case.
The teams that make up the Tobacco Control Program are mostly composed of dentists, pharmacists, doctors, nurses, and physical education professionals. During the initial consultation at a family clinic or municipal health center, the individual is welcomed and, based on a medical evaluation, the best treatment for their addiction is recommended, encompassing all necessary specialties.
Among the main lines of action are auriculotherapy, reflexology, physical activities, psychological support, dental care, and discussion groups so that patients can share stories and inspiration. It is important to emphasize that not all users need medication, as the drugs are restricted to a specific patient profile.
Civil firefighter Gilson Motta, 65, is one of the patients who decided to quit smoking with the help of professionals at the Ilzo Motta de Mello Family Clinic in Paciência, where he receives regular treatment. In August, he will complete four years without smoking, after more than four decades as a smoker.
"I had been smoking since I was 14. I had tried to quit smoking on my own several times before, but without success. I only managed to quit for good when my daughter, who is a health worker at the unit, convinced me to go to the family clinic to talk to the team. That's when I started regularly attending the lectures and meetings of the smoking cessation group, started using nicotine patches, and began auriculotherapy. It all depends on each person's willpower, but the support of the professionals was essential for me," she recalls.
Since then, Gilson says he has never smoked again and that, as time goes by, he feels the benefits of changing his habits more and more.
"Now I have a better quality of life, I breathe and sleep much better. It takes me about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to work, and I remember always getting off the bus in a panic, just waiting to light a cigarette. The time spent commuting was the longest I could go without smoking. If I said it was an easy process, I'd be lying, but it's rewarding. In my case, I managed to quit in the first month of treatment. Today, I'm invited by the family clinic team to talk to those who are starting the program," he adds.
In 2026, between January and April, more than 2,9 new users sought treatment through the municipal network. Of these, approximately 93% quit smoking within the first month of treatment.
The list of municipal health units that offer smoking cessation treatment can be found at the following link:
https://pcrj.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=014d8ab512a34f259bb27c8a13d4d65f
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