Expert: Tobacco Harm Reduction Will Assist Smokers to Quit Nicotine Addiction

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Scientific Engagement Manager, BAT West Africa, Dr. Akinwande Puddicombe, has declared that Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) might help millions of adult smokers around the world to quit nicotine addiction.

Puddicombe, who is also a medical doctor and a Fellow of the Academy of Public Health, said that THR offer practical and science-led approach to support these individuals by providing access to alternative nicotine products that have a reduced-risk profile compared to smoking.

According to him, “as nicotine use continues to evolve, tobacco control strategies must evolve with it. While quitting entirely remains the ideal outcome, it is a goal that many adult smokers may find difficult to reach.

“THR offers a practical and science-backed alternative, providing adult smokers with reduced-risk options.

“By combining these alternatives with strong and evidence-based regulation as well as public education, health systems could potentially contribute to lowering smoking-related disease rates, reduce healthcare costs, and, most importantly, reduce the health impact of these products if fully adopted.”

He said that THR is aligned with broader public health goals by empowering adult smokers to make informed choices that reflect evolving science and a commitment to reducing risk, while respecting consumer autonomy and choice.

“THR offers an alternative for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke. It supports the use of scientifically validated products with lower risk profiles than combustible cigarettes – such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches – that deliver nicotine without the combustion of tobacco – the main source of harmfultoxicants found in cigarette smoke.

“The principle is simple: THR separates nicotine from cigarette smoke. When tobacco burns, it releases tar, carbon monoxide, and other harmful substances.

“But modern reduced-risk products avoid combustion altogether, helping adult smokers reduce the health risks related to cigarette smoking, while still managing their nicotine needs,” he said.

He added: “Many adult smokers have tried to quit using tools like nicotine patches, gums, medications, or counselling. For some, these methods work.

“But the reality is that most people who try to quit, relapse within a year. For those who find quitting completely too difficult or simply don’t want to stop using nicotine, THR offers a more realistic path.”

Puddicombe asserted that independent public health bodies such as Public-Health England’s (PHE) have also validated this.

“In its landmark review (Public Health England 2015) estimated that modern e-cigarettes are about 95 per cent less harmful than smoking. This is a figure that is now widely cited by regulators and health bodies.

“However, PHE has also said that it should be noted that this does not mean e-cigarettes are entirely risk-free,” he said.

He said that THR could reduce risk by switching from cigarettes to reduced-risk products like e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, or nicotine pouches, to enable adult smokers to significantly cut their exposure to harmful chemicals – reducing the chances of smoking-related disease.

According to him, “many adult smokers use THR products as a stepping stone to quitting, first, by switching to reduced risk options, then gradually reducing their nicotine use, or even quitting altogether. This step-by-step approach is often more successful than trying to quit all at once.”

Puddicombe asserted that notable health authorities have also begun to endorse THR strategies.

He said that The Royal College of Physicians (UK) issued a comprehensive report in 2016 concluding that THR could prevent millions of smoking-related deaths if widely adopted.

“Further, Public Health England maintains that e-cigarettes are ‘substantially less harmful’ than smoking and encourages their use in national cessation programmes.

Puddicombe noted that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (USA) acknowledged that while long-term effects require further study, e-cigarettes are likely to be far less harmful than combustible tobacco.

He said that protecting the underaged is a shared responsibility and a key part of how harm reduction can work responsibly.

“More so, a few studies have indicated no evidence of a gateway effect to smoking for underage or non-smokers, suggesting that with the right regulations in place, these products can help adult smokers transition without increasing youth uptake

“To address these risks, many countries such as Sweden for example have put various safeguards in place, including strict age checks at retail outlets and online platforms; marketing rules that ban underage-targeted advertising and flavours; clear product standards to ensure accurate nicotine content and safety and on-going monitoring of smoking and vaping trends to catch any unintended effects early.

“While there are continuous efforts to enhance them, these measures help to ensure that THR remains focused on adult smokers only,” he said.