Read articles from Africa

April 09, 2025 by sokodirectory.com

In Africa, limited access to safer nicotine alternatives like vaping devices persists due to bans, high prices, and unavailability, in contrast to other regions embracing harm reduction. Global tobacco companies prioritize Western markets, allocating less than 5% of investments to Africa, where regulations often mirror outdated prohibition-style policies, hindering access and affordability. The absence of local production facilities results in heavy import costs, making products like nicotine pouches and vapes expensive for the average smoker. Lack of regulatory clarity exacerbates the situation, pushing products into informal markets. To reduce tobacco-related deaths, policymakers and the private sector must prioritize improving accessibility and affordability of harm reduction products in Africa.

March 12, 2025 by gfn.tv

Mystery surrounds South Africa's upcoming budget announcement, with fiscal policies regarding vapes and tobacco products likely under scrutiny. But with little concrete information available, wihat could change in the coming weeks? Kurt Yeo joins us on GFN News to explore these regulatory changes and South Africa's current problematic approach to safer nicotine products.

March 06, 2025 by theconversation.com

The growing trend of adolescent vaping, fueled by enticing flavors and targeted marketing, is a global concern. Survey data reveals high rates of e-cigarette use among adolescents in various countries, including South Africa. Research shows the harmful impact of nicotine and non-nicotine vapes on young minds and bodies, emphasizing the urgency to address this public health crisis. In South Africa, 16.8% of high school students currently vape, with rates increasing by grade. Reasons for starting and continuing vaping vary, with addiction and social influences playing key roles. Urgent actions include passing legislation to control vape sales, debunking the myth of vaping being safe, and providing support to help addicted teenagers quit.

March 05, 2025 by daily-pouch.com

Kenya's Ministry of Health mandates graphic health warnings on vapes and pouches, similar to cigarettes. The World Health Organization supports this practice, proven to grab attention and deter smoking. Research shows graphic warnings affect risk perception, but smokers can become desensitized. Misleading images on vapes and pouches risk public trust. Accurately depicting health risks is crucial. Kenya should consider harm reduction benefits of vapes and pouches before implementing misleading warnings. Comparisons to Sweden's successful smoking policies could offer valuable insights for Kenya.

February 27, 2025 by youtube.com

As South Africa awaits the 2025 Budget Speech, tobacco product producers prepare to hear tax-related pronouncements on their industry. Vape producers and distributors are pressing for, what they say, is the need for a balanced approach to tobacco taxation. They say policymakers should consider using taxation to influence behavior and tax tobacco products in proportion to their harm. Co-Founder at Vaping Saved My Life, Kurt Yeo, joins us for more.

February 05, 2025 by ecigintelligence.com

Vaping companies face ethical and legal challenges as they navigate an increasingly complex market and attempt to grow market share without attracting accusations that they are exacerbating the youth vaping epidemic. This is particularly true in developing markets, where tobacco and vaping products can be more equivalent in price. One example is South Africa, where a recent study from (...)

February 04, 2025 by einpresswire.com

Advocacy organisations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia Pacific - In a united effort, representing millions of adult consumers who use nicotine products that do not involve combustion, have sent a letter to the Special Rapporteur to the United Nations Human Rights Council. The correspondence addresses recent comments made in a recent report regarding the validity of Tobacco Harm Reduction and urges the United Nations to recognize its importance in promoting public health.

January 22, 2025 by gfn.tv

In the second part of our series looking at Malawi's complicated relationship with tobacco production and smoking, Sahan Lungu joins us to explore whether a holistic approach to tobacco production and smoking could help Malawi minimise the harms related to combustible tobacco use.

January 15, 2025 by gfn.tv

Despite tobacco control efforts to phase out tobacco consumption around the world, a thorny issue remains - that there are many countries whose economy is fundamentally dependent on tobacco production. Amongst one of the largest producers of tobacco globally is Malawi, where tobacco makes up 60% of its exports. Sahan Lungu joins us to explore Malawi's complex relationship with tobacco in the first episode of our two part Malawi Special.

January 09, 2025 by worldvapersalliance.com

Africa grapples with tobacco control amid rising popularity of nicotine products like pouches and e-cigarettes. Debate rages on prohibition versus regulation, with concerns about youth nicotine use and illicit markets. Strict policies and bans may contribute to black markets, with limited access to safer options. Evidence-based regulation aiming for harm reduction and informed consumer choice is favored over prohibition. Lessons from failed regulations, like South Africa's COVID-19 tobacco ban, emphasize the need for balanced, consumer-focused approaches. Thoughtful regulation in 2025 can enhance public health, empower consumers, and address nicotine consumption effectively in Africa.