TOBACCO harm reduction is based on the assumption that since certain unhealthy behaviours are addictive and, in many instances, extremely difficult to quit, safer technologies or practices must form a part of an effective control regime.
Commissioned by the African Harm Reduction Alliance (AHRA), the review focuses on the need for more robust behaviour changing models, especially the inclusion of harm reduction mechanisms in helping curb tobacco use in South Africa and globally.
“Simply put, tobacco harm reduction is defined as anything that decreases the risks from using combustible tobacco, for example through vaping,” said Dr Delon Human, co-founder of the Africa Harm Reduction Alliance (AHRA) and President of Health Diplomats, a specialised health, nutrition and prevention consulting group operating worldwide.
Smokers have limited quitting options. Currently, smokers can use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and related products. Tobacco harm reduction offers a slightly different route out of tobacco addiction by focusing on reducing the harm of chemicals associated with the burning of tobacco without having to stop the nicotine intake. In other words, the approach relies on prevention of harm rather than focusing on the substance itself or cold quitting.
“Tobacco harm reduction has been referred to as a third option for smokers who have traditionally been confronted with the binary choice of continuing or quitting altogether,” said Dr Daniel Malan, leading academic and author of the report.
Increasingly, global evidence-based research is proving that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking. A Public Health England Evidence update concludes that e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than smoking. Furthermore, recent research by University College London found that only consuming e-cigarettes resulted in very low exposure to toxins whereas a recent New Zealand study found that e-cigarettes were more effective than nicotine patches for those looking to quit. WHO came into effect in 2005 with the objective of protecting present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. With more than 80% of the world’s smokers currently living in developing countries, it is imperative that governments fully understand harm reduction and its usage as part of their broader strategies in combatting substance usage and abuse.
“Despite the best efforts of global tobacco control we have had limited results. Even WHO predicts that there will still be 1 billion cigarette smokers by 2050. It is now time to seriously consider harm reduction as a way to prevent tobacco-related disease and premature death. Tobacco control and harm reduction are not mutually exclusive. In fact, it is mutually reinforcing. Both are essential tools society and public health should use to avoid or minimise harm associated with substance abuse,” concluded Dr Human.
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