Safer Nicotine Products Show Potential to Reduce Smoking Prevalence, Advocate Says
Ngoma emphasized the potential public health benefits of a nuanced, evidence-based approach to nicotine harm reduction.
NAIROBI, Kenya — Safer nicotine products (SNPs) demonstrate significant potential for reducing smoking rates and improving public health, according to research presented at a harm reduction roundtable on November 26, 2024, writes Winston Mwale.
Chimwemwe Ngoma, Malawi Harm Reduction Advocate, outlined compelling evidence suggesting SNPs can effectively decrease cigarette consumption through three primary mechanisms: product replacement, smoking cessation aid, and alternative nicotine consumption.
Swedish Success Story
Sweden emerged as a prominent case study. Between 1981 and 2022, the country experienced a dramatic decline in daily smoking prevalence from 27% to 5.3%, concurrent with an increase in snus usage from 14% to 20.2%.
Key outcomes included:
- Lung cancer rates among Swedish men less than half the European average
- A 2019 study found SNP substitution reduced smoking-related deaths by 50% compared to other EU countries
- Lowest lung cancer incidence and mortality rates among men in the EU
Global Regulatory Landscape
Ngoma provided a detailed breakdown of SNP legal availability worldwide:
- 129 countries (71.14% of global population) have at least one SNP legally available
- 27 countries legalized all four SNP categories: nicotine vaping devices, heated tobacco, snus, and nicotine pouches
- 72 countries (28.86% of global population) have no SNPs legally available
## Taxation and Accessibility
Current global trends show:
- Nicotine vapes legally available to 54% of global adult population
- Heated tobacco products accessible to 36%
- Snus available to 58%
- Nicotine pouches accessible to 35%
Ngoma highlighted progressive approaches like the UK's "Swap to Stop" program, which provides free nicotine vape starter kits to approximately one million adult smokers.
Regulatory Recommendations
The expert called for "science-led regulation" and urged policymakers to:
- Prioritize public health over punitive taxation
- Encourage smoker transitions through subsidies
- Implement proportional taxation
- Develop comprehensive education campaigns
Global Health Perspective
Despite the World Health Organization's cautious stance, recommending bans or heavy regulations on SNPs, Ngoma emphasized the potential public health benefits of a nuanced, evidence-based approach to nicotine harm reduction.
The roundtable underscored the complex global dialogue surrounding safer nicotine products, balancing regulatory caution with emerging scientific evidence of potential health benefits.