By Theresa Moses
Amid the pressing global concern over the escalating tobacco crisis, a vital roundtable discourse has been initiated by the Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) in Lagos.
The event, themed “Examining THR Measures: The Impact of Harm Reduction Strategies on Smoking Cessation,” witnessed an impassioned keynote address delivered by Mr. Teslim Shitta-Bay, the Managing Director of Proshare, where he emphasized urgent action and innovative solutions to combat the detrimental effects of smoking.
In his address, Mr. Shitta-Bay stressed the global public health crisis posed by tobacco smoking, shedding light on its adverse effects, particularly in Nigeria.
Citing statistics from the World Health Organisation, he highlighted the alarming toll of over 8 million annual deaths attributable to tobacco use.
Mr. Shitta-Bay also underscored the economic and health repercussions of tobacco intake, outlining the staggering healthcare costs and productivity losses associated with tobacco-related diseases.
He revealed that Nigeria spends a substantial N9.5 trillion annually on tobacco-related issues, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions.
Drawing from global examples, particularly Sweden’s success in reducing the rate of smoking through innovative harm reduction strategies, Mr. Shitta-Bay advocated a paradigm shift in Nigeria.
He lauded Sweden’s approach, adding that their transition to tobacco alternatives and achieving significantly low smoking rates, is commendable.
Highlighting the challenges faced in Nigeria due to high cigarette prices for alternative products, Mr. Shitta-Bay emphasized the need for policy changes. He also proposed treating reduced-risk tobacco alternatives as consumer products with a lower tax profile to encourage adoption among the population.
The Proshare MD concluded by urging collaborative efforts to combat smoking-related diseases, stressing the importance of adopting harm reduction strategies tailored to Nigeria’s context as well as transition towards smoke-free alternatives.
Share your story or I Witness Reports with us 24/7 via SMS/Whatsapp: +234(0)8072022024, Email: [email protected], follow us on our social media platforms: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook: @Gatmash, and subscribe to our YouTube channel: Gatmash TV.
Gatmash News is one of the most sought-after news portals, with an increasing audience and exclusive breaking news and reports across the globe. Plus more. Website: https://gatmash.com
For ad placement, contact us today via email at [email protected] or call our hotlines at +234(0)8072022024.
