By Theresa Moses
In a renewed call for action, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, the President of ValueFronteira Limited, has called on the urgent need to adopt Sweden’s successful model for achieving a smoke-free nation through robust Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) policies.
He made this charge at the Amber Hotel in Ikeja on December 21, 2023.
The esteemed gathering comprised members of the press, representatives from Nigerian health authorities, researchers, public health advocates, and distinguished guests.
Prof. Ike-Muonso’s address highlighted the imperative nature of transforming Nigeria’s approach to combating smoking-related diseases, while citing staggering statistics from reputable studies, including the 2019 research by Davis Adelia et al.
According to him, the 2022 Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction report emphasized that Nigeria’s economic losses, estimated at billions of dollars, and the alarming number of smoking-related death requires urgent need for action.
Drawing from Sweden’s exemplary success story, Prof. Ike-Muonso underscored the transformative power of evidence-based policies. Sweden’s strategic combination of traditional tobacco control methods with harm reduction strategies, focusing on safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes like snus and nicotine-based tobacco-free options, have yielded remarkable results.
Sweden’s anticipated drop in smoking prevalence below 5% marks a monumental achievement in Europe, setting an example for the global fight against tobacco.
The Professor, however, highlighted the potential for Nigeria to save millions of lives by adopting similar strategies.
He presented an 8-point roadmap outlining immediate actions for successful THR policy implementation, including policy development, awareness campaigns, healthcare professional training, affordability measures, research encouragement, international collaboration, and robust monitoring.
Prof. Ike-Muonso underscored the importance of Nigeria’s authorities and stakeholders heeding the call for change, urging a shift towards evidence-based guidelines and learning from Sweden’s success.
He emphasized the need for prioritising public health by making THR alternatives both accessible and affordable, assuring readiness to support and collaborate with the government in this critical journey towards a smoke-free Nigeria.
In his article titled: “Towards a Smoke-Free Nigeria: Lessons from Sweden’s Success,” Prof. Ike-Muonso delved deeper into the gravity of Nigeria’s tobacco-related challenges, noting the successes and setbacks within the country’s tobacco control landscape.
He outlined the necessity for Nigeria to emulate Sweden’s approach tog THR, highlighting the successes achieved in reduced smoking rates and subsequent health benefits.
The article pointed out the significance of harm reduction strategies and the pivotal role of THR alternatives such as snus, heated tobacco, e-cigarettes, and nicotine pouches. Prof. Ike-Muonso stressed the practicality and transformative nature of harm reduction in contrast to prohibition-based policies, advocating for a shift in Nigeria’s tobacco regulations towards a more pragmatic approach.
He dissected Sweden’s approach, showcasing the synergy between effective THR policies and their robust implementation, emphasising the pivotal role of collaboration among stakeholders, legal acceptance, awareness campaigns, and taxation strategies.
However, Prof. Ike-Muonso highlighted Nigeria’s current challenges, including inadequate awareness among healthcare professionals, cultural disparities, and affordability concerns hindering the effective adoption of THR strategies. He proposed multifaceted approaches involving policy enforcement, awareness campaigns, healthcare education, and affordability measures to propel Nigeria towards reduced smoking rates and improved public health outcomes.
In conclusion, Prof. Ike-Muonso reiterated Nigeria’s critical juncture, urging a collaborative effort to embrace Tobacco Harm Reduction strategies. He called for the need for accurate information dissemination, healthcare integration, and policy crafting to pave the way for a healthier, smoke-free future, positioning Nigeria as a global leader in tobacco harm reduction.
The call to action resonated strongly, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s fight against smoking-related diseases and setting a clear path towards a healthier, more prosperous future.
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