Read articles from Africa

June 02, 2026 by gfn.tv

Tobacco use in Malawi is shown to be strongly shaped by poverty, education and regional inequality. Although around 95% of adults do not use tobacco, smoking remains much more common among the poorest communities than among the wealthiest. Combustible tobacco is the dominant form of use, while smokeless and dual use remain very low. Higher education appears to be linked with lower tobacco use, suggesting that social disadvantage plays an important role in who is most affected. The findings underline the need for policies that recognise poverty and inequality rather than treating tobacco use as the same problem across all groups.

May 26, 2026 by gfn.tv

Harm reduction efforts in the Middle East and Africa face distinct challenges shaped by restrictive regulation, limited public awareness, and uneven access to safer nicotine alternatives. Advocates argue that in regions where smoking rates remain high, excluding tobacco harm reduction from public health strategies may slow progress in reducing smoking-related disease and mortality. The discussion highlights the importance of local evidence, consumer voices, and culturally relevant risk communication in shaping more effective nicotine policy. It also raises broader questions about whether global tobacco control frameworks adequately reflect the needs and realities of countries outside Europe and North America.

May 19, 2026 by gfn.tv

Women’s health continues to be underrepresented in research, policy development, and public health decision-making despite growing evidence of persistent gender-based disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. In many low- and middle-income countries, women who use nicotine products or seek safer alternatives remain largely invisible within tobacco control and harm reduction discussions. Researchers increasingly argue that the absence of gender-sensitive data and policy frameworks contributes to barriers in access, education, and appropriate health interventions. Expanding representation of women’s experiences in public health research may be essential for developing more equitable and evidence-based health policies.

May 13, 2026 by gfn.tv

Debates around tobacco harm reduction are increasingly exposing tensions between public health messaging and institutional behaviour. Critics argue that some organisations continue to reject lower-risk nicotine alternatives while simultaneously supporting policies that have failed to reduce smoking effectively. The discussion highlights what is seen as a growing disconnect between scientific evidence, consumer experiences and regulatory narratives. Concerns are also raised about selective framing of risk, particularly when safer alternatives are treated similarly to combustible cigarettes. At the centre of the debate lies a broader question of consistency, credibility and whether public health policies are being applied evenly across different forms of nicotine use.

May 13, 2026 by tobaccoreporter.com

Most smokers in South Africa appear to support a more risk-based approach to nicotine regulation, according to new survey findings. Research suggests that a large majority favour policies that distinguish between combustible cigarettes and lower-risk smoke-free alternatives. At the same time, the data highlights significant gaps in public awareness, with many smokers unfamiliar with products such as nicotine pouches and other reduced-risk options. Affordability, accessibility and clear information on relative risks were identified as key factors influencing whether smokers would consider switching away from cigarettes. Many respondents also expressed concern that overly restrictive regulation could encourage growth in illicit markets rather than reduce nicotine use. The findings contribute to wider debates over whether tobacco policy should focus more heavily on harm reduction and differentiated regulation based on relative risk.

May 06, 2026 by sowetan.co.za

Harm reduction is widely used across public policy, yet it remains underutilised in tobacco regulation. In South Africa, the approach is already applied in areas such as road safety, public health and environmental policy to manage risk rather than eliminate behaviour. The same principle could be extended to smoking, where reducing harm may be more effective than relying solely on abstinence-based strategies. Evidence suggests that policies recognising behavioural realities tend to achieve better public health outcomes. At the same time, current debates often fail to distinguish between different nicotine products and their relative risks. A more balanced, risk-proportionate approach could improve outcomes by aligning regulation with scientific evidence and real-world behaviour.

May 05, 2026 by gfn.tv

Personal stories are emerging as a powerful tool in shaping the global conversation on tobacco harm reduction. A new initiative aims to collect and aggregate real-world testimonies from individuals who have switched away from smoking. By bringing these experiences together, the project seeks to provide a human perspective often missing from policy discussions. Advocates argue that lived experiences can complement scientific evidence and highlight the practical impact of harm reduction. The effort reflects a growing push to ensure that policy decisions are informed not only by data, but also by the voices of those directly affected.

April 29, 2026 by filtermag.org

A new platform, THR Global, highlights real-life testimonies of individuals worldwide who switched to safer nicotine products for harm reduction. It aims to empower consumers often excluded from media and policy discussions. Founded by Kurt Yeo, the website emphasizes the importance of consumer voices in decision-making and tobacco harm reduction advocacy. Testimonies share personal journeys of quitting smoking with products like vapes or snus. THR Global provides a vital resource to amplify these voices and advocate for harm reduction principles globally. Encouraging more participation is crucial for the platform's success in promoting evidence-based tobacco harm reduction solutions.

April 28, 2026 by gfn.tv

Debates around nicotine policy in Kenya are intensifying as authorities introduce sweeping bans on alternative products. In a rapidly changing regulatory environment, many safer nicotine options have become restricted or unavailable to consumers. At the same time, experts highlight a significant gap between scientific evidence and public understanding of nicotine and its risks. Widespread misconceptions—such as equating nicotine directly with cancer—continue to shape perceptions and influence behaviour. Critics argue that without effective education, such policies may unintentionally limit harm reduction opportunities for smokers.The situation underscores the need for clearer communication and better-informed public health strategies.

April 16, 2026 by tobaccoreporter.com

Namibia is moving to strengthen its tobacco control framework by introducing tighter regulations on vaping and other alternative nicotine products. The proposed changes aim to update existing laws so that newer products, such as e-cigarettes and hookahs, are explicitly covered. Authorities are responding to increasing use and imports of these products, which have so far remained largely unregulated. The reforms are part of broader public health efforts to reduce nicotine consumption and align with international tobacco control strategies. This development reflects a wider global trend of governments tightening oversight of emerging nicotine products.