THE SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM OF THE BRAZILIAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH: A SPACE THAT SHOULD ALSO BE OCCUPIED BY THE BIOMEDICAL PROFESSIONAL?

Abstract

This article sought to analyze the importance of the biomedical professional role in the National Program for Tobacco Control (PNCT), highlighting their contributions to smoking cessation and public health promotion. This is a narrative literature review, conducted by analyzing studies from 2011 to 2025, in the databases MEDLINE, via PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar, using descriptors such as biomedical sciences, health professionals, and smoking prevention.The study described the pathophysiological mechanisms of nicotine dependence, emphasizing the influence on dopamine pleasure systems, the action of nicotine on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and chemical dependence. In addition, the toxic effects of tobacco were addressed, associated with the development of respiratory, cardiovascular diseases, and neoplasms, as well as the relevance of laboratory biomarkers and actions aimed at smoking cessation. In view of this, the results demonstrated that the biomedical professional contributes in the areas of clinical analysis, toxicology, monitoring of nicotine exposure, and actions for the prevention of smoking. It is concluded that expanding the participation of this professional can strengthen strategies for promoting collective health within the PNCT and contribute to reducing the impacts caused by smoking on public health.