A fresh report emphasizing the advantages of Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) This has sparked fresh demands for Nigeria to embrace a more scientifically informed strategy for tobacco regulation, with health professionals cautioning that traditional methods alone are insufficient to reduce tobacco-induced fatalities.
The newly published Lives Saved Report for Nigeria and Kenya indicates that nations implementing harm reduction strategies—providing smokers with more benign nicotine alternatives—have the potential to significantly reduce mortality rates. In Nigeria, where although smoking prevalence has decreased, isolated instances of tobacco consumption persist; Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) could serve as an essential method to alleviate diseases linked to tobacco usage within the nation.
THR stands for a public health approach that promotes transitioning from smoking combustible tobacco items, such as cigarettes, to using potentially safer options including nicotine pouches, heated tobacco devices, and electronic cigarettes. The key difference lies in these substitutes not involving burning, thereby reducing the production of most hazardous substances typically emitted by conventional smokes.
Tobacco control strategies such as taxes, ad bans, and smoke-free zones have proven beneficial, yet these measures often fail to assist those who struggle with quitting," stated Yussuff Adebayo, the Global Director of Research and Thought Leadership at Global Health Focus—a group dedicated to fostering critical thinking and leadership in global health to achieve SDGs related to health. "Tobacco Harm Reduction provides an additional approach to aid adults in moving away from hazardous cigarette use.
Even though international research increasingly backs tobacco harm reduction (THR), this idea isn’t widely grasped in Nigeria. Numerous policy makers and public health officials still depend solely on the World Health Organization’s MPOWER strategy, criticized for not emphasizing harm reduction adequately. Despite the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) acknowledging harm reduction as part of its strategic approaches, its absence from major worldwide resources hinders adoption in nations such as Nigeria.
The Lives Saved Report contends that Nigeria needs to establish a well-calibrated regulatory structure—a system that effectively differentiates between traditional lit-up tobacco products and alternative smokeless nicotine options. Failing to implement this kind of framework could result in the nation overlooking an essential chance to provide less risky choices for cigarette-addicted adults while simultaneously maintaining stringent measures against smoking overall.
The report underscores the significance of public awareness. At present, numerous individuals in Nigeria lack knowledge about or have misconceptions regarding alternatives such as nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes. Often driven by fear-mongering initiatives, misinformation leads many people to view these products as equally dangerous or even more detrimental than traditional cigarettes.
On the other hand, nations such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, and New Zealand have adopted Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) strategies, resulting in significant declines in both smoking rates and tobacco-associated diseases. For example, Sweden is well-positioned to be the globe’s first "smoke-free" nation, primarily due to the extensive use of smokeless nicotine alternatives.
The report encourages Nigerian institutions such as universities, research centers, and public health organizations to spearhead the collection of local data on THR. Additionally, it requests that the Ministry of Health and related entities incorporate harm reduction into their tobacco control strategies and frameworks.
In addition to regulation and research, the report highlights the importance of collaboration. Healthcare providers, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders should join forces to tackle false information and encourage well-informed choices among those who smoke and wish to stop.
Nigeria’s economic situation highlights the importance of adopting a well-balanced strategy. Diseases linked with tobacco impose a substantial strain on the country’s healthcare infrastructure, and Transition Harm Reduction (THR) strategies might offer an economical solution. Given the government’s ongoing efforts towards achieving comprehensive health coverage, specialists suggest that implementing THR measures could lower avoidable hospitalizations and diminish long-term medical expenses.
The Nigerian government has not officially embraced THR policies as of now. However, initial indications of interest are emerging. Several private healthcare organizations and activist groups have started hosting workshops and engaging with stakeholders to familiarize a wider audience with the principles of THR.
"Advancement is gradual, yet we have momentum. It’s crucial that we continue advocating for reforms grounded in scientific evidence rather than prejudice," Adebayor emphasized.
As worldwide efforts to curb tobacco use advance, Nigeria finds itself at a pivotal juncture. The data unequivocally shows that adopting strategies for reducing the harms associated with tobacco could significantly save lives. It now rests upon determining if the nation will take advantage of this chance or allow misleading information, bureaucratic lethargy, and social stigmas to impede advancements.
The moment to take action is right now," states the Lives Saved Report. "Through strong leadership and sensible policies, Nigeria has the potential to forge a new direction towards a tobacco-free future—a future grounded in empathy, scientific evidence, and practical thinking.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).
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