Yet new products may not be readily accessible to those in need due to a variety of factors, including systemic challenges caused by weak regulatory oversight, particularly in Africa. Tobacco harm reduction within a regulated framework, encouraging smokers to use safer nicotine containing products, should be supported by governments in Africa. In order to tackle harmful effects of smoking in the developing countries, more so Africa, Snus, E cigarettes and heat-not-burn products should be made available and affordable. These products should be made affordable to smokers in developing countries as an urgent human rights issue. Governments also have a mandate to disseminate accurate information on safer nicotine products to allow smokers to make informed decisions.
Also, the global decline of smoking could have many positive health impacts but could bring negative economic consequences to tobacco farmers, many of whom are in Africa. In order to address the agricultural impact of smoking cessation; our organization is focused on identifying economically sustainable alternative livelihoods for tobacco farmers.
Integrating tobacco harm reduction measures in the fight against smoking can generate health, economic and other development returns, accelerating Africa’s achievement of many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
