Reducing Tobacco Harm in Sub-Saharan Africa

According to a new report from Knowledge Action Change (KAC), there are over 200,000 smoking-related deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa each year, highlighting the urgent need to reduce tobacco harm in the region.

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KAC believes that reducing the harm caused by tobacco products can bring significant public health benefits to countries south of the Sahara, especially as the number of tobacco users across the African continent is expected to reach 62 million by 2025.

In a news briefing, KAC wrote that many people are unable or unwilling to quit nicotine use, but smoking is deadly. Reducing the harm of tobacco provides smokers with safer options for nicotine products, including nicotine e-cigarettes, smokeless nicotine pouches, Swedish snus (an orally consumed tobacco product), and heated tobacco products.

The report "Reducing Tobacco Harm in Sub-Saharan Africa" written by Chimwemwe Ngoma, founder of the Tobacco Harm Reduction Alliance (THR), examines the current state of tobacco harm reduction in 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition to considering the economic role of tobacco in the region, the document also provides a country-specific guide regarding the availability and legal status of safer nicotine alternatives. It notes that sub-Saharan Africa is making progress in reducing tobacco harm, highlighting the work of consumer protection groups in providing accurate information on combustible cigarettes and safer nicotine products for tobacco users.

However, in many countries, the availability and accessibility of products such as nicotine e-cigarettes is still poor, and adequate regulation of product safety is necessary. Many smokers are unable to access support to quit smoking. Some governments are unable to meet the basic requirements of a sound healthcare system and lack funds to prevent non-communicable diseases related to smoking.

Many consumers, healthcare institutions, and governments in sub-Saharan Africa are still unaware of the potential for reducing tobacco harm, as well as the spread of misinformation regarding safer nicotine products.

To achieve smoke-free status, the sub-Saharan African region requires safer nicotine products that are viable, affordable, appropriate, easily accessible, culturally acceptable, and supported by sensible product regulations," said Chimwemwe. "To achieve this goal, governments across Africa should strive to maintain independence, conduct their own socioeconomic impact assessments, and develop science-based policies that reduce tobacco harm.

This new report is part of the KAC Global Tobacco Harm Reduction Project, which is funded by the Smoke Free World Foundation.

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