Read articles from Africa

October 03, 2024 by lww.com

Public health policies are crucial in safeguarding the well-being of communities, particularly in low and middle-income regions like Africa, where social, political, environmental, and economic conditions create numerous health vulnerabilities. The challenges range from infectious diseases like Ebola virus disease, yellow fever, tuberculosis, malaria, and cholera to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders, and cancers, which are often exacerbated by high-risk behaviors like tobacco use.

September 26, 2024 by nyasatimes.com

Millions of lives are lost annually due to tobacco, with Malawi recording 5,400 tobacco-related deaths in 2021. Efforts by local organizations, like Tobacco Harm Reduction Malawi, are crucial to combat this issue. Sahan Lungu leads the charge by promoting safer alternatives and educating communities. Community involvement is essential for tailored messaging and sustainable change. Alexander Thomas Mboma focuses on training healthcare providers while World Vision Malawi supports tobacco-growing communities by offering education and alleviating poverty. By engaging communities in harm reduction initiatives, the goal is to make efforts more inclusive, effective, and sustainable for better health outcomes.

September 03, 2024 by peopledaily.digital

Kenya can reduce adult smokers by 2.5 million through new WHO tobacco cessation guidelines. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlights the importance of these guidelines. They refute the tobacco industry's claims about safer alternatives like e-cigarettes. WHO notes challenges faced by health systems in offering cessation services. Effective methods include pharmacotherapy and behavioral support. The tobacco industry targets the youth with appealing products. Zaha Indimuli emphasizes parental vigilance to prevent youth addiction. Over 8,000 Kenyans die annually from tobacco-related diseases.

September 02, 2024 by chimpreports.com

THR Uganda urges the Ugandan government to amend the Tobacco Control Act to provide solutions for smokers wanting to quit. A survey in Lira and Bukedea districts revealed high percentages of smokers with health issues and difficulty quitting. Most smokers started at a young age and struggle to stop despite awareness of risks. The current law lacks support for addicted individuals, with 90% of users stating it didn't help them quit. THR Uganda advocates for empathetic help and safer nicotine alternatives. The CEO emphasizes the urgency, citing cigarette-related deaths as a significant concern in Uganda.

August 30, 2024 by ahra.info

Nicotine pouches are proven to be significantly safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes and are assisting millions of smokers worldwide to quit their habit. They have played a major role in the success of Sweden, which is on the brink of becoming the first country to achieve official smoke-free status.

But, from today, smokers across Canada will be banned from buying these lifesaving products over the counter. It will also be illegal to buy pouches with flavours that have been shown to help smokers kick their deadly addiction.

August 29, 2024 by capitalfm.co.ke

Reduced-risk tobacco-free products, such as vapes and nicotine pouches, are proven to be the most successful tool for helping smokers make the critical switch from traditional cigarettes to less harmful alternatives. These innovative products offer a lifeline to millions, providing a way to satisfy nicotine cravings without exposing users to the carcinogens and harmful toxins found in combustible tobacco. Yet, some opponents seem intent on overlooking this lifesaving potential, fixating instead on a misguided opposition to anything related to nicotine consumption. It is crucial to (...)

August 27, 2024 by businessday.ng

Vaping is not a perfect solution, but it is a safer alternative to smoking. By vaporising a liquid solution containing pharmaceutical-grade nicotine instead of burning tobacco, it eliminates the harmful combustion by-products released by burning tobacco that cause the majority of smoking-related diseases. The Royal College of Physicians estimates that vaping is likely to be much safer than smoking, with some studies suggesting it may be at least 95 percent safer.

August 23, 2024 by vaping360.com

A bill introduced in Kenya’s parliament would impose serious restrictions on vaping products and nicotine pouches, making them less attractive and less available to ordinary Kenyans. The new bill will, if passed, amend the country's Tobacco Control Act to redefine “smoking” to include vaping, thus including vaping in all existing smoking restrictions, including advertising and public use. All online sales and advertising would be banned.

August 20, 2024 by ahra.info

The principal object of the Bill is to amend the Tobacco Control Act, to make further provisions for the regulation of electronic nicotine delivery systems. According to the Health Ministry, the current Tobacco Control Act passed in 2007, did not anticipate non-tobacco products such as nicotine pouches. The bill also seeks to ensure that no nicotine or electronic nicotine systems are manufactured, distributed, imported, or sold in Kenya without the prior authorization of the Cabinet Secretary responsible for health.

August 20, 2024 by tribuneonlineng.com

As the world continues to grapple with the devastating health impacts of smoking, countries like Nigeria must consider Sweden’s groundbreaking approach to tobacco harm reduction. Sweden’s model has revolutionised the fight against smoking, and there are invaluable lessons to be learned. Recent research highlights the effectiveness of various alternative products. Among respondents, 60 percent perceive Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) as the most effective alternative product, while (...)