Mathematical modeling of smoking dynamics in society with impact of media information and awareness

Smoking is one of the major causes of various preventable death in several countries due to its harmful impact on different body organs, resulting in strokes, heart diseases and other respiratory problems. Smoking can lead to increased risk of lung cancers in both men and women. Smokers are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disorders. To mitigate this problem, awareness through media campaigns, advertisements and sessions on smoking cessation contribute majorly to reducing the number of smokers. With this motivation, a nonlinear compartmental model is developed in this work to analyse the impact of media awareness in curbing the spread of smoking from smokers to non-smokers. In addition to this, the relapse of population who quit smoking back to becoming smokers is also included. The equilibria and basic reproduction number are obtained for the model and stability analysis is performed. Sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number to assess the impact of key parameters on cessation of smoking is studied by means of normalized forward sensitivity index. The work is further extended to optimal control model highlighting the importance of counselling, treatment approaches, therapies implementation in combating this substance abuse. The study clearly suggests the significance of media awareness and the rate at which the information is spread in smoking cessation as well the importance of early therapies and counselling to potential smokers to not get persuaded to this deadly habit. While smoking is a concerning issue that needs immediate attention, mathematical models can help policy makers and health officials in implementation of certain interventions to control the rising use of tobacco and cigarette.