Why Africa must not mistake vaping for harm reduction
Business Daily
Vaping is not harm reduction for non-smokers and should be strictly regulated in Africa.Summary
The WHO African Region has low tobacco use, but vaping is being marketed to non-smokers, especially youth, which increases health risks and nicotine dependence. Harm reduction should be measured by reduced disease, not by product switching. Evidence that e-cigarettes help smokers quit comes from controlled studies, not commercial markets. Policymakers must protect public health from tobacco industry interests, as required by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Kenya should strengthen regulation, allowing vaping only in controlled cessation programs with professional support, and not present commercial expansion as harm reduction.
(Source：Business Daily)
