Category: Tobacco Harm Reduction

Tobacco Harm Reduction explores safer alternatives to smoking, evidence-based policies, and innovations aimed at reducing the health risks associated with tobacco use. This category features expert insights, research updates, and stories shaping the future of smoke-free living.

Why Harm Reduction Matters More in Africa

Healthtimes

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma The African Tobacco Control Alliance (ACTA) defines Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) as a public health strategy aimed at lowering the health risks to individuals and society associated with combustible tobacco products. This approach is based on the understanding that most harm linked to tobacco use comes from the chemicals released and inhaled when tobacco is burned. By removing the burning or smoking element, the risks from tobacco consumption are significantly reduced. ACTA further notes that THR acknowledges a critical reality: many adults who smoke and wish…

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Why COP11 Should Be Livestreamed and Open to the Press

Healthtimes

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma The 11th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), scheduled to take place at the Geneva International Conference Centre in Switzerland from November 17 to 22, has faced growing criticism for its lack of transparency during meetings. While the WHO FCTC does not outright ban media attendance at COP sessions, it imposes strict accreditation and vetting procedures that significantly limit press participation. Members of the media may only attend if they have been…

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WHO Clings to Outdated Dogma

Healthtimes

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma  When it came into effect in 2005, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was hailed as a landmark global health treaty. Two decades later, however, health experts say the treaty has largely failed to deliver on its promise to significantly reduce global smoking rates. The FCTC urged governments to adopt taxation, advertising bans, and other restrictive measures to curb smoking. Yet, despite widespread adoption, global tobacco use remains stubbornly high. Studies indicate that the FCTC has struggled to keep pace with…

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The Tobacco Tax Dilemma: Can Governments Protect Both Health and Revenue?

Healthtimes

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma Several governments find themselves in a conundrum. On one hand, they depend on tobacco tax revenues to fund public programs and services, while on the other, they aim to reduce the health risks associated with tobacco consumption. This dilemma is particularly evident in countries with significant tobacco industries. In Zimbabwe, for example, the country recorded an all-time high output of 355 million kilograms of tobacco this year, earning close to US$1.2 billion in revenue. The tobacco industry contributes significantly to Zimbabwe’s economy, accounting for about 10…

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Oncologists Should Lead the Tobacco Harm Reduction Discourse

Healthtimes
Nicotine Isn’t the Enemy: World Expert Corrects a Century of Misconception

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma A leading French oncologist has called on cancer specialists worldwide to take an active role in Tobacco Harm Reduction and help correct misconceptions about nicotine and its link to cancer. Speaking on the sidelines of the 2025 Technovation Summit in Dubai, Professor David Khayat, an oncologist at Pierre et Marie University in Paris, said oncologists have a duty to promote science-based communication around smoking and nicotine use. We as oncologists have to trust science, and science says nicotine does not cause cancer, so let’s stick to…

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PMI Strengthens Measures to Curb Youth Access to Smoke-Free Products

Healthtimes

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma Philip Morris International (PMI) says it is taking concrete steps to ensure its smoke-free products remain out of reach for minors, reaffirming its commitment to youth access prevention as global concerns around youth vaping grow. Speaking during the 2025 Technovation Summit in Dubai, Tomoko Iida, PMI’s Director of Scientific Engagement for South and Southeast Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East, and Africa, said the company’s smoke-free portfolio, which includes heated tobacco, e-vapour, and oral smokeless products, is designed exclusively for adult smokers. Youth…

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PMI Chief Calls for Urgent Embrace of Smoke-Free Alternatives to Save Lives

Healthtimes

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma in Dubai Despite years of anti-smoking campaigns and strict tobacco control measures, the global number of smokers remains stubbornly high. According to peer-reviewed data, about 75 percent of those who attempt to quit relapse within six months. This persistent challenge, experts say, underscores the need for alternative solutions such as smoke-free products. Speaking at the Technovation Summit in Dubai, Philip Morris International (PMI) Chief Executive Officer Jacek Olczak urged governments and regulators to support the adoption of smoke-free alternatives for smokers who cannot or will not…

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Nicotine Isn’t the Enemy: World Expert Corrects a Century of Misconception

Michael Gwarisa
Nicotine Isn’t the Enemy: World Expert Corrects a Century of Misconception

By Michael Gwarisa For decades, misinformation and misconceptions about nicotine’s role in cancer and tobacco-related diseases have dominated public health discussions. These misconceptions are not limited to the general public; even among medical professionals, confusion persists. A Rutgers-led study found that about 80 percent of physicians surveyed believed nicotine directly causes cancer. Speaking during a session on Lessons in Tobacco Harm Reduction, where he shared insights from an oncologist’s perspective, Professor David Khayat said nicotine misinformation remains widespread among doctors and physicians. We see that there are many physicians who…

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Getting Tough On Vaping Drives People Into Smoking Combustible Tobacco

Michael Gwarisa

Despite the massive crackdown on smoking in the form of bans and taxes, coupled with well-coordinated misinformation around emerging Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) alternatives, World Health Organisation (WHO) data shows that at least 8 million smokers continue to die from smoking-related diseases on an annual basis while one million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke also die from passive smoking. By Michael Gwarisa Overall smoking rates in Africa remain low by international comparisons, with a prevalence of 8.4 percent across the continent. While smoking prevalence is relatively low on…

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Facing The Elephant In The Room: How Disinformation Is Standing In The Way Of Tobacco Harm Reduction

Michael Gwarisa

The American Centre for Disease Control (CDC) defines harm reduction as any behaviour or strategy that helps reduce risk or harm to yourself or others. For almost every societal problem, there are available harm reduction options. For example, to reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV, one needs to practice safer sex or safer drug use. By Michael Gwarisa Since the year 2006, there has been exponential expansion of interest in Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) after the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) became the first American scientific…

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