AHRA Wrapped: Our Year in 2024

In 2024, amongst the COP10 disappointments and the promising mentions in the New Approaches conference, tobacco harm reduction (THR) has had a very busy year. At AHRA, we’re proud to be part of the change, sharing reports, news and knowledge with you on the latest THR discoveries and updates. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant new reports of the year as well as articles on the connections between THR and public health.

Tobacco Harm Reduction and New Reports: 

In 2024, AHRA had the privilege of sharing many important and evidence-based new reports that reiterated and further discovered the benefits of the harm reduction model. These reports were spread across countries, including Sweden, New Zealand, and many more. When it comes to African nations, a series of ‘Lives Saved’ reports addressed the projected impact of tobacco harm reduction on four countries in particular. In South Africa, where 20.2% of adults smoke tobacco, the report found that a combination of tobacco control, THR and early cancer diagnosis plus treatment can help save 320,000 lives by 2060. Earlier this year, Dr. Kgosi Letlape spoke fervently against the clause within a South African bill on tobacco control, highlighting the way in which it ignores human rights. AHRA also conducted a webinar that discussed THR in South Africa with experts Kurt Yeo and Martin Cullip.

Egypt, where tobacco is the third most common risk underpinning death, disease and disability, was part of a report that 1.8 million lives could be saved across seven Middle Eastern countries if the same criteria suggested for South Africa were adopted.

A third report looked at Nigeria and Kenya together, where a combined 39,000 people die prematurely every year from combustible tobacco and toxic smokeless tobacco products. This report found that 600,000 lives could be saved by 2060 with the same combination of tobacco control, THR and lung cancer intervention. This is particularly important given Kenya’s recent proposal to amend the tobacco control act, through which ‘access to safer alternatives for Kenyans who want to quit smoking derails.’ The consequences of this bill, if it were to pass, are discussed in detail by Joseph Magero. 

Earlier this month, an urgent report that was not based on any particular country, but instead highlighted the global oral health crisis caused by tobacco use across nations was also released. This report included a four-point plan to lead to THR-based change.

Tobacco Harm Reduction and Public Health:

To highlight the interconnected benefits of tobacco harm reduction and the overarching costs of tobacco use, 2024 saw AHRA sharing many articles on the way in which various health issues are affected by tobacco.

On World Health Day, AHRA shared how ‘more than 80% of the world’s smokers live in low- and middle-income countries, including Africa, resulting in a skewed burden of disease.’ An unequal access to health services is also seen in the lack of smoking cessation services in many African nations. AHRA’s articles on World Population Day and World No Tobacco Day also noted how this continent has had the highest increase in smokers since 1990, further emphasizing the need to provide cessation programs and prioritize harm reduction in addition to tobacco control policies.

When looking at mental health and tobacco use, AHRA highlights the possibility of a causal relationship between the two. It shares how, ‘In the African Region, experts estimate that more than 116 million people live with mental health conditions and a large percentage of them smoke cigarettes.’ Recognizing this link is important for creating ‘integrated, multisectoral approaches to address these two global human development issues of significant socioeconomic ramifications.’

Delving into specific types of harm caused by tobacco, AHRA highlighted how tobacco is responsible for 22% of cancer deaths, including 85% of all lung cancer cases. Relatedly, it is also the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These facts make the need for a formal tobacco harm reduction strategy even more urgent. Alongside its effects on lung health, AHRA discussed how smoking tobacco has been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia, while nicotine is being assessed for ‘its potential to enhance cognitive function.’ AHRA also looked at how tobacco harm reduction can help reduce cardiovascular disease and how harm reduction itself can help with tuberculosis and drug use.