By Aoma Keziah,
Stakeholders in the health policy sector have been urged to embrace science-driven regulation in policymaking to support harm reduction efforts across Africa and improve public health outcomes.
This call was made during the fourth edition of the Harm Reduction Exchange in Nairobi, themed “Enabling Innovation in Harm Reduction through Science-Led Regulation and Policymaking.” The event brought together high-level policymakers, public health experts, media stakeholders, and representatives from the Bar, Hotels, and Liquor Traders association (BAHLITA).
The initiative seeks to implement harm reduction practices, strengthen control policies, and enforce stringent trading laws to curb the proliferation of black-market products.
Dr. Vivian Manyeki, a public health specialist in Kenya, highlighted the importance of harm reduction saying that it involves and government must strengthsen tobacco control laws.
“Harm reduction involves policies, programs, and practices aimed at minimizing the negative health, social, and legal impacts of substances like tobacco, alcohol, and opioids. Governments must strengthen tobacco control laws while integrating harm reduction strategies. This includes directing taxes collected from tobacco products toward public health programs and increasing access to harm reduction tools.” She explained.
Also speaking at the event, Wilson Box, Projects Executive Director for the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network, emphasized the varied regulatory landscapes across Africa .
“While some nations align their measures with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), others face resource constraints that limit effective regulation. High income countries often have sophisticated frameworks, while low- and middle-income countries struggle to regulate novel nicotine products.” Said Box
Dr. Mohammed S. Eltaweel also shared Egypt’s success in reducing harm from opioid misuse and tobacco through scientific, cost-effective interventions.
“The government has embraced harm reduction strategies, including making buprenorphine available to treat opioid addiction and supporting regulated alternatives to traditional cigarettes. These measures have reduced the public health burden and associated social issues.” He remarked.
Dr. Michael Kariuki, a Kenyan expert, highlighted the benefits of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and education saying that NRT products deliver nicotine through patches, sprays, or lozenges, offering safer alternatives to smoking.
“ They are safe, with no evidence linking them to lung, gastrointestinal, or oral cancer. He also noted the media’s critical role in informing smokers about alternative, lower-risk products and fostering public dialogue around harm reduction strategies.” Noted Dr. Kariuki
The event highlighted regional differences in tobacco regulation where by Kenya has made strides with the Tobacco Control Act of 2007, distinguishing between combustible and noncombustible products, Nigeria lacks specific provisions for non-combustible products under its Tobacco Control Act, focusing primarily on general tobacco control and Ghana has taken a strong stance by prohibiting non-tobacco harm-reducing products like shisha through its food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
In conclusion, the 2024 Harm Reduction Exchange emphasized the value of evidence-based strategies in policymaking to save lives, reduce public health burdens, and regulate products differently for greater societal benefit.
Mt Kenya Times