On World Vape Day and World No Tobacco Days marked on May 30th and 31st respectively, BAT Kenya is calling for collaboration to accelerate progress towards building a smokeless world. Until recently, the only means to address the harm associated with smoking cigarettes was tobacco control measures to make smoking less appealing. Today, adult smokers who don’t quit can switch to better alternatives.
A variety of smokeless products — vapes, heated products, and nicotine pouches — are available and produce a fraction of the toxicants present in cigarette smoke. Countries adopting these products, such as Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, the U.K., and the U.S., have seen a greater reduction in smoking prevalence.
Sweden, where long-term data is available, demonstrates that Tobacco Harm Reduction is effective. Over the last 30 years, many people in Sweden have switched from smoking to using snus — a traditional oral tobacco product. More recently, other smokeless products have been introduced, and these are more affordable than cigarettes in countries where they are taxed based on lower risk profiles.
Although tobacco use per capita among Swedes is similar to the EU average, the country reports the lowest smoking prevalence in the EU at 5.3%.
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“BAT’s introduction of smokeless products such as oral nicotine pouches into the Kenyan market reflects our commitment to meet the preferences of today’s adult smokers, while transforming our business by adapting to consumer and market changes with innovative nicotine products,” said Mr Crispin Achola, BAT Kenya Managing Director and General Manager, East & Southern Africa Markets.
“Tobacco control has a role to play, and it is in everyone’s interest to reduce the harm associated with smoking cigarettes. Addressing such a significant societal issue can only be achieved through open dialogue, sharing scientific research, and collaboration.”
He said BAT transparently engages for progressive regulation that allows adult smokers to access better alternatives, enabling them to make informed decisions about switching, while protecting consumers through high product standards, preventing youth access, and curbing illicit trade. It is estimated that approximately 37% (third party research) of the cigarette volume in Kenya is illicit, a worrisome statistic which is in nobody’s interest and one we would not want to see replicated for Smokeless alternatives.
“We believe that the evidence supporting a harm reduction approach is compelling, with smokeless products regulated based on their lower risk profile, using the best available scientific evidence,” he said. “This approach could accelerate Kenya’s progress towards achieving a smoke-free status.”
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