Allafrica had the privilege of speaking with
In this interview, we explore the company's stance, innovations, regulations and efforts in promoting safer alternatives and reducing the health risks associated with tobacco consumption.
Your company,
Since 2008, PMI has devoted a significant amount of resources towards scientific development and substantiation of alternatives to combustible cigarettes. We call these novel products "Smoke Free Products" ("SFP") because they present less risk of harm to adult smokers
According to the
Our advocacy for harm reduction stems from our commitment to the smoke-free future. We believe in providing legal age smokers with scientifically substantiated alternative products that offer a reduced risk profile compared to traditional smoking, therefore we believe its is important to raise awareness and understanding about Tobacco Harm Reduction ("THR") among African legal age smokers, healthcare professionals and policymakers to enable evidence-based discussion and their informed decision making.
Can you share concrete examples of Tobacco Harm Reduction ("THR") success in other demographics and why should
The smoke-free journey for PMI started in 2014 by the introduction of heated tobacco product in Japan. In 2000, 50 percent of all men and 33 percent of all adults in
Another good example is
The Swedish experience is a showcase of how having smoke-free products that are accessible, affordable, and acceptable alternatives for adults
I believe the African legal age smokers should have the choice and access to scientifically substantiated novel SFP and shouldn't be deprived or left behind for several reasons.
Tobacco-related diseases are a significant public health burden in
According to estimates from the
Tobacco Harm Reduction is a global trend supported by several public health experts, policymakers, and advocacy organizations like the local THR groups. By actively participating in harm reduction initiatives,
What are the regulatory challenges your company faces in promoting Tobacco Harm Reduction ("THR") and Smoke Free Products ("SFP") in African markets, and how do you address them?
The main regulatory challenge is the lack of understanding of the need for differentiation in regulating Smoke Free Products ("SFP") by the regulators, which can mean imposing equivalent fiscal and regulatory measures that are applied to combustible tobacco products. Pursuing a harsh stance towards these products will limit options for mitigating health risks and will not deliver better, long-term public health benefits.
There is a crucial need for pragmatic recognition of the potential merits of these products as a tool for reducing harm and meeting public health benefits and the need for a differentiated treatment of Smoke Free Productsfrom combustible tobacco products. While SFPsare not risk free and contain nicotine which is addictive, providing access to, and information about scientifically substantiated Smoke Free Products to adult smokers
Regulatory challenges in promoting Tobacco Harm Reduction in African markets often involve navigating complex and evolving legislation, as well as addressing concerns about youth initiation. To address these challenges, we engage in transparent communication with regulatory authorities, provide evidence-based research to support our claims, and advocate for balanced regulations that prioritize public health. While recognizing the potential benefits of Smoke Free Products, we favor tailored restrictions on usage to provide adult smokers with the choice of switching to lower health-risk alternatives to cigarettes, whilst restricting access to unintended groups, including youth and never users.
To increase awareness and understanding of the science on Tobacco Harm Reduction and of the Smoke Free Products category in
We recognize the diversity of cultural attitudes towards tobacco use in
What specific steps is your company taking to engage with African governments and public health organizations to advance Tobacco Harm Reduction ("THR") efforts?
Our company is actively engaging with African governments and public health organizations to advance Tobacco Harm Reduction efforts. We actively participate in policy discussions, provide scientific evidence, and offer support for regulatory frameworks that prioritize harm reduction. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, we aim to build trust and credibility within the public health community and contribute to meaningful progress for the benefit of public health.
It is critical that THR and the potential of SFPs to move adult smokers away from combustible tobacco products is properly understood by regulators, the scientific community and society at large. Transparent, fact and evidence-based debate around THR is inevitable and timely for the benefit of public health.
Engagement with African governments and public health organizations is crucial for the success of our harm reduction initiatives. We recognize the unique healthcare challenges facing African countries and strive to integrate THR into broader public health agendas. By aligning our initiatives with local priorities, we can better address the needs of these communities.
Replacing cigarettes with SFP will take time and does not depend only on our efforts. The support of regulators, the scientific community as well as of the society is needed to enable informed decision making of adult smokers
What long-term goals does your company have in
Our long-term goal is to make Smoke Free Products a widely accepted and accessible option for adult smokers
To make SFP more accessible across African countries for adult smokers
Tobacco Harm Reduction is not to replace traditional tobacco control measures such as efforts to prevent smoking initiation and to encourage cessation, but to complement such efforts. Our position is clear, people should not start smoking, if people smoke they should quit tobacco and nicotine altogether, but adults
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