EXPERTS WARN AGAINST BLANKET BAN ON NICOTINE PRODUCTS, ADVOCATE FOR HARM REDUCTION APPROACH


BY NJOKI KARANJA 

In a joint press conference held in Nairobi today, harm reduction specialists raised concerns over a proposed crackdown on nicotine products by Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni. Dr. Michael Kariuki, secretary-general of the Harm Reduction Society, emphasized that alternative nicotine products like regulated vapes and oral pouches are scientifically proven to be significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes and are vital for helping smokers quit.

Harm Reduction Society of Kenya Vice Secretary-General, Dr. Nick Kioko (Left), Harm Reduction Society of Kenya Founder and Secretary-General, Dr. Michael Kariuki (center), and Campaign for Safer Alternatives spokesperson, Joel Sawa (Right) a press briefing at a Nairobi hotel today. They called on policymakers to reconsider the indiscriminate and ill-informed offensive against safer alternatives that smokers can use to quit smoking.



Joel Sawa, spokesperson for Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA), highlighted the importance of making tobacco-free products like regulated nicotine pouches and vapes affordable and accessible, stating that banning them would leave smokers with limited options, potentially exacerbating health risks.


Harm Reduction Society of Kenya, Founder and Secretary General Dr. Michael Kariuki, during a press briefing held at a Nairobi hotel today calling on policymakers to reconsider the indiscriminate and ill-informed offensive against safer alternatives that smokers can use to quit smoking.



In addition, the experts cited international evidence supporting the efficacy of alternative nicotine products, including research from the University of Nairobi, which found that regulated oral nicotine products carry similar levels of toxicants and risks as nicotine replacement therapies endorsed by the World Health Organization.



They also pointed to success stories from countries like Sweden and the UK, where innovative alternative products have contributed to significant reductions in smoking rates and tobacco-related diseases.



In conclusion, the specialists urged policymakers to adopt an evidence-based and proportionate approach to regulation, emphasizing the need to protect children and youth while ensuring access to safer alternatives for adult smokers. They warned that a blanket ban on nicotine products could squander a crucial opportunity to save lives and reduce the public health burden associated with smoking.

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