Expert: Tobacco Harm Reduction can Help Nigeria Reduce Health Risk Associated with SmokingDike Onwuamaeze

The Global Director of Research and Thought Leadership, Global Health Focus, Mr. Yusuf Adebisi, has stated that Nigeria could significantly reduce health risks associated with smoking and ease pressure on its healthcare system by embracing Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR).

Adebisi said that the THR approach offered a vital lifeline for millions of smokers who want to quit smoking or switch to reduced-risk alternative products.

He remarked that traditional tobacco control strategies, including taxation, advertising restrictions, and smoking bans, have so far recorded limited success in reducing the numbers of adult smokers.

He said: “This is where THR comes in. THR is a scientifically backed approach that offers adult smokers’ access to reduced-risk alternatives like nicotine pouches, heated tobacco products, and e-cigarettes, which reduce harmful combustion-related toxins.”

He pointed out that lack of awareness on what THR is all about has stifled its acceptance in Nigeria and consequently made it difficult to integrate it into its public health policies.

According to him, the World Health Organisation’s MPOWER framework, which guides global tobacco control efforts, does not include harm reduction as a key strategy even though harm reduction strategies are included as a strategic option in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

“This omission limits countries like Nigeria’s ability to implement a holistic approach to reducing tobacco-related harm as they are not aware or are misinformed on these other alternatives.

“The Nigerian government must recognise that a risk-proportionate regulatory framework—one that differentiates between the harms of combustible cigarettes and the lower risks associated with non-combustible nicotine alternatives—is essential,” Adebisi said.

He argued that “implementing policies that make reduced-risk products more accessible while continuing to regulate combustible cigarettes will help millions of Nigerians to transition to safer alternatives.”

He also said that Nigeria should not rely solely on foreign research to shape its THR policies and called for homegrown scientific studies that would assess the impact of reduced-risk products.

Adebisi said that local research institutions, universities, and public health bodies should begin to address the research gaps around smoking behaviors, harm reduction efficacy, and policy effectiveness.

He added that public awareness campaigns are also crucial because many Nigerians are unaware that alternatives like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches exist and have reduced risk when compared with traditional smoking.

“Misinformation and fear-mongering have led to skepticism about reduced-risk products, despite the scientific evidence supporting their benefits when compared with traditional cigarettes.

“A well-structured education campaign, backed by health professionals, community influencers and even the government, can help dispel myths and encourage informed decision-making.

“This approach has been key to the success of harm reduction strategies in countries such as the United Kingdom, Sweden and New Zealand.

“Nigeria has a unique opportunity to lead the charge in tobacco harm reduction across Africa, by embracing a science-driven, evidence-based approach, achieving this requires a collective effort from the government, health professionals, researchers, and civil society.

“The time to act is now. Nigeria cannot afford to delay.

“With the right policies, education, and leadership, the country can mitigate tobacco-related deaths and build a healthier future for generations to come,” Adebisi said.