Read articles from Africa

August 15, 2025 by prnewswire.com

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids applauds Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's announcement that the country will raise taxes on tobacco products to save lives and stimulate the economy. Increasing taxes on tobacco products is a smart move, a huge win for public health and a popular policy initiative.

July 28, 2025 by businessinsider.com

Fossil fuel-powered engines in cars, factories, and homes are major contributors to air pollution. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from these sources poses health risks and leads to millions of premature deaths globally. Indoor and outdoor air pollution is a serious issue affecting ecosystems, health, and climate. HouseFresh's report emphasizes the harmful impact of toxic pollutants in the air and compares air pollution exposure to smoking. Despite natural factors like dust storms and wildfires, human activities significantly worsen air quality. It's crucial to address these concerns to safeguard human health and the environment.

July 01, 2025 by mg.co.za

Lekan Ayo-Yusuf discussed the 2025 WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic and the Tobacco Bill, emphasizing the industry's shift towards electronic devices like vapes and heated tobacco products. The report reveals how tobacco companies manipulate regulations, funding biased research, and promoting new products as harm-reduction tools. Ayo-Yusuf highlighted the ineffectiveness of these products in reducing harm and the industry's violation of tobacco laws. The Tobacco Bill aims to control the marketing and use of these products, especially among youth. Despite the rising popularity of vapes and heated tobacco in South Africa, Ayo-Yusuf expressed concerns about the increasing number of smokers and emphasized the need for stricter regulations.

June 12, 2025 by africannewsagency.com

The vaping industry in South Africa calls for smarter nicotine policies amidst rising tobacco smoking rates. Parliament is reviewing the Tobacco Bill to regulate product processing, advertising, and appearance. Vaping advocates stress the need for evidence-based nicotine policies, cessation support, and harm reduction tools like e-cigarettes. With smoking prevalence increasing, there's a call for a shift towards safer alternatives and better enforcement. The Advertising Regulatory Board supports regulating vapor products, highlighting health benefits for smokers who switch. It emphasizes clear communication of benefits while discouraging non-smokers from vaping. Collaboration with the industry led to guidelines including restrictions on marketing to minors and health claims.

June 09, 2025 by guardian.ng

Dr. Rita Opene, a health expert in Delta State, Nigeria, raises alarm on the increasing tobacco-related deaths, stressing global preventable death concerns. Opene, also a coordinator for the Nigerian Cancer Society, highlights World Health Organization data revealing over seven million annual tobacco-related deaths worldwide. She addresses statistics from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, showing 4.7 million Nigerian adults using tobacco, with a rising trend in newer tobacco products. Opene warns about the health risks, including lung cancer and heart disease, associated with tobacco use, emphasizing the need for urgent action and awareness to combat the epidemic.

June 02, 2025 by smilefm.co.za

WHO praised South Africa for enhancing anti-tobacco laws on World No-Tobacco Day. The country aims to ban tobacco and vaping advertising, regulate e-cigarettes, and combat manipulative marketing targeting youth. The Tobacco Products Control Bill addresses health risks from tobacco and e-cigarettes by banning advertising, regulating e-cigarettes, and protecting youth from predatory marketing. The bill seeks to reduce smoking and vaping among young people and challenge Big Tobacco's strategies. Its focus is on public health and ending nicotine addiction in South Africa by closing regulatory gaps and protecting the youth.

June 02, 2025 by smilefm.co.za

WHO praised South Africa for enhancing anti-tobacco laws on World No-Tobacco Day. The country aims to ban tobacco and vaping advertising, regulate e-cigarettes, and combat manipulative marketing targeting youth. The Tobacco Products Control Bill addresses health risks from tobacco and e-cigarettes by banning advertising, regulating e-cigarettes, and protecting youth from predatory marketing. The bill seeks to reduce smoking and vaping among young people and challenge Big Tobacco's strategies. Its focus is on public health and ending nicotine addiction in South Africa by closing regulatory gaps and protecting the youth.

May 13, 2025 by cameroonnewsagency.com

Cameroon faces a public health crisis with 8.9% smoking prevalence leading to significant deaths and healthcare costs. Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR), including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, offers a safer alternative. However, lack of awareness and regulation hinders progress. Local research and educational campaigns are needed to promote THR and develop effective policies. Integrating THR into national tobacco control is crucial for long-term health outcomes. With the new Tobacco Control Law in place, Cameroon has the opportunity to lead in tobacco control through evidence-based, innovative strategies. Action is imperative to reduce smoking-related harm and improve public health.

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.