African Governments have been urged to adopt science-based policies to address harm caused by tobacco, opioids and other harmful substances. The call was made at the fourth Harm Reduction Exchange in Nairobi, where experts stressed the importance of evidence-based policies in protecting public health.
Kenyan public health specialist Dr. Vivian Manyeki emphasized the importance of harm reduction policies and programs in minimizing the health, social, and legal impacts of substances like tobacco and opioids.
She stressed the need for governments to strengthen tobacco control laws and redirect taxes on tobacco products to public health initiatives.
The conference, entitled “Enabling Innovation in Harm Reduction through Science-Led Regulation and Policymaking”, brought together policy-makers, public health experts, media representatives and industry stakeholders, including members of the Bar, Hotels and Liquor Traders Association (BAHLITA).
Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network, Wilson Box, highlighted the regulatory gaps in many African countries. “While high-income countries have advanced frameworks aligned with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, low- and middle-income countries struggle to effectively regulate novel nicotine products due to limited resources,” he explained.
Presenting Egypt’s success story, Dr Mohammed S. Eltaweel illustrated how cost-effective interventions, such as the use of buprenorphine for opioid dependence and the promotion of regulated alternatives to traditional cigarettes, have alleviated public health challenges. “These strategies have significantly reduced the health and social burden,” he said.
Kenya’s progress under its 2007 Tobacco Control Act was praised for distinguishing between combustible and non-combustible products. However, neighboring countries face challenges.
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Nigeria’s tobacco laws make no provision for non-combustible products, while Ghana has banned harm-reduction products such as shisha altogether.
Dr Michael Kariuki, another Kenyan expert, advocated nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), such as patches and lozenges, as safer alternatives to smoking. “These products are effective and safe, with no risk of cancer. The media has an important role to play in raising awareness of these alternatives,” he said.
The Forum called for Africa to prioritise science in its policy-making. Experts emphasized that innovation and collaboration are essential to tackle smoking-related deaths and reduce healthcare costs. “Science provides clear solutions, but resistance rooted in misinformation and ideology slows progress,” said one panellist.
he event reinforced the need for informed regulation and harm reduction practices to create a healthier future for the continent.
