What is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction, while relatively new to health policy approaches, has long been a practice used in health and human behaviour…
ahra_admin4 February 2026
Global Health at a Turning Point: Risks and Urgent Reforms
Global Health at a Turning Point: Risks and Urgent Reforms The future of global health hangs in the balance as…
ahra_admin8 August 2025
Why Zambia’s Tobacco Control Bill Should Adopt Harm Reduction
Today, Zambia stands at a pivotal moment in tobacco regulation as a new tobacco control bill seeks to restrict the…
ahra_admin15 July 2025
Cessation Over Harm Reduction: WCTC 2025 Draws a Hard Line Against Less Harmful Nicotine Products
Dublin, Ireland — The World Conference on Tobacco Control 2025 (WCTC) brought together global public health leaders to confront the…
ahra_admin10 July 2025
Misleading the Public: How Traditional Tobacco Control Content Distorts the Facts
Tobacco harm reduction (THR) is a public health strategy aimed at reducing the health risks associated with combustible tobacco use.…
ahra_admin5 May 2025
Back to the Basics: The Risk Continuum in Tobacco Harm Reduction
Embracing Harm Minimization on the Journey to Cessation The Back to the Basics series has already established how Tobacco Harm…
ahra_admin28 February 2025
Unpacking Kenya’s Newly Gazetted Warnings on Nicotine Products—Here’s What We Can Learn from Sweden
The long-awaited amendments on tobacco and nicotine products in Kenya have been signed into law and published in the Government…
ahra_admin19 February 2025
Back to the Basics: Tobacco Harm Reduction or Smoking Cessation? Which Approach is Better?
What is Tobacco Harm Reduction and how does it stand alongside smoking cessation? We’ll answer the question right away: firstly,…
ahra_admin19 February 2025
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…
ahra_admin19 December 2024
Global health experts unveil four-point plan to combat oral diseases through tobacco harm reduction
LONDON, 4 December 2024 – Leading international health experts today unveiled a pioneering four-point plan to address the global crisis…
ahra_admin4 December 2024
The Global Oral Health Crisis You’ve Never Heard About—And How to Solve It
The Oral Nicotine Commission Report (2024): “Transforming Oral Health for all: The case for Tobacco Harm Reduction”, examines the urgent…
ahra_admin4 December 2024
Revolutionising Africa’s Fight Against Smoking: A New Approach
Tobacco use continues to claim countless lives across Africa, with Nigeria and Kenya alone losing 38,851 people annually to smoking-related…
ahra_admin19 November 2024
Exploring the Power of Tobacco Harm Reduction in South Africa: Webinar Recap with Kurt Yeo and Martin Cullip
We recently hosted an enlightening webinar on Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) with two leading voices in the field, Kurt Yeo…
ahra_admin13 November 2024
Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Understanding Smoking, Nicotine and Cancer Risks
Nicotine is the primary addictive substance in cigarettes. Although it plays a key role in sustaining smoking habits, some experts…
ahra_admin7 November 2024
CoffeeChat with Joseph Magero | Navigating Tobacco Policy in Egypt and Across Africa
In our latest CoffeeChat episode, Jessica Perkins, Bryan Steenkamp, and Joseph Magero explore recent shifts in tobacco regulation across Africa,…
ahra_admin30 October 2024
World Heart Day 2024: Reducing Smoking’s Impact Through Harm Reduction
World Heart Day, observed annually on September 29th, emphasises the importance of preventive measures and lifestyle changes to combat cardiovascular…
ahra_admin1 October 2024
CoffeeChat with Joseph Magero: Denying access to safer alternatives for smokers struggling to quit.
As Kenya moves forward with the current Tobacco Control Bill, access to safer alternatives for Kenyans who want to quit…
ahra_admin13 September 2024
World Population Day 2024: Urgent Need for Smoking Interventions for Africa’s Growing Population
As the United Nations prepares to observe this year’s World Population Day (July 11), the demographics of low—and middle-income countries…
ahra_admin10 July 2024
Smoke Free New Zealand Report: Lessons from New Zealand’s success
African countries inarguably need to emulate New Zealand to become smoke-free in the shortest time possible. New Zealand’s smoking cessation…
ahra_admin26 June 2024
The Intersection of Youth Day and Human Rights
Commemorating Youth Day: Addressing human rights and Harm reduction for South African youth amidst drug abuse and discriminatory practices. On…
ahra_admin14 June 2024
Egypt Lifts Ban on Vaping: What This Will Mean for Their Smokers
There are approximately 13.9 million current smokers in Egypt, with 61,295 people dying every year due to tobacco smoking in…
ahra_admin7 June 2024
World No Tobacco Day 2024 — Drive Innovation To Lower Smoking Rates
Every year, on 31 May, we mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) to highlight tobacco use's health and other risks…
ahra_admin31 May 2024
Mental Health Awareness Week: Smoking and Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness Week allows us to pause and reflect on our mental health and the mental health of our…
ahra_admin17 May 2024
Introduction to the Report: No Smoke, Less Harm
Globally, tobacco use severely impacts public health, necessitating the development of innovative strategies to negate its detrimental effects. Sweden stands…
ahra_admin15 May 2024
Opinion: Kenya’s Graphic Health Warnings on Nicotine Products — A Call for Science-Based Differentiation
The Ministry of Health's initiative to require graphic health warnings on tobacco and nicotine products is laudable for its intent…
ahra_admin30 April 2024
Legislation and Policy Impact on Indigenous Communities
Indigenous people in low and middle-income countries experience an alarmingly high burden of smoking-related morbidity and mortality, with tobacco use…
ahra_admin19 April 2024
Embrace Nicotine Alternatives to Save 100 Million Lives
“Saving lives requires bold action. Let us unite in our commitment to a smoke-free future – one where harm reduction…
ahra_admin10 April 2024
World Health Day 2024: Health And Human Rights
The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on April 7, 1949, and the date of its establishment is commemorated annually…
ahra_admin5 April 2024
How Reduced-Risk Alternatives Can Ease Smoking Effects in Kenya
Kenya has a problem with cigarette smoking. Too many smokers are dying from smoking-related diseases as smokers repeatedly try—but fail—to…
ahra_admin28 March 2024
World TB Day: Integrating Harm Reduction Strategies to Combat TB
World TB Day, observed each year on March 24, serves as a reminder that we cannot achieve the urgent goal…
ahra_admin22 March 2024
An Appeal for Human Rights in Tobacco Legislation: The Case of Dr Kgosi Letlape
In a recent public hearing, Dr Kgosi Letlape, an ophthalmologist and chairman of the Africa Harm Reduction Alliance (AHRA), spoke…
ahra_admin20 March 2024
Is Pharmaceutical-Grade Nicotine Safe?
Pharmaceutical-grade nicotine is used in nicotine patches, nicotine sprays, nicotine pouches, and nicotine gum formulations in treating nicotine dependence to…
ahra_admin19 March 2024
Advocates for public health push governments to adopt Sweden’s smoke-free policies
22 February 2024, Stockholm, Sweden – Following the WHO's disregard for the Swedish narrative during its Tenth Conference of the…
ahra_admin29 February 2024
The Role of Tobacco Harm Reduction in preventing loss of life in South Africa
Outlining the potential effect that harm reduction policies can have on tobacco-related deaths by looking at four lower and middle-income…
ahra_admin22 February 2024
COP 10’s Missed Opportunity To Accelerate A Reduction In Smoking Deaths
This Year at the COP10, over 1,000 delegates came together to make critical decisions to further strengthen and support global…
ahra_admin21 February 2024
Solutions for Life Expectancy, Causes of Death, and Tobacco Consumption in Kazakhstan
As part of a recently published report focusing on the potential positive effects of harm reduction policies on tobacco-related deaths…
ahra_admin20 February 2024
World Cancer Day 2024: Mounting Need for Innovative Strategies
Ahead of this Year’s World Cancer Day, which was commemorated on February 4, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s cancer agency,…
ahra_admin19 February 2024
Transforming Tomorrow: Advancements in Tobacco Control in Bangladesh
A recent report focusing on averting tobacco-related deaths highlights Bangladesh as a case study that demonstrated the life-saving potential of…
ahra_admin18 February 2024
Three Steps to Help Pakistan Save 1.2 Million Lives
Regarding efforts against smoking, Pakistan has embraced several WHO-recommended measures. Large health warnings on items, a ban on national television,…
ahra_admin2 February 2024
Challenging the New Year’s Resolution: Is Quitting Smoking Achievable?
As 2023 draws to a close, many Africans will make New Year’s resolutions for a healthier 2024. Quitting tobacco is…
ahra_admin14 December 2023
A Focus on Nicotine Education During COPD Awareness Month
World COPD Day is an annual event held on the third Wednesday of November. It's an initiative organized by the…
ahra_admin15 November 2023
The Effect of Smoke-free Products Being Accessible
Although global health’s goal is a smoke-free world by 2040, Sweden is the only country about to achieve an adult…
ahra_admin29 September 2023
International Day for People of African Descent
The International Day for People of African Descent, observed on 31 August, is an opportunity to acknowledge the important contribution…
ahra_admin8 September 2023
Excluding Evolution in Africa – My takeaways on Vape Con, South Africa, 2023
The landscape of tobacco consumption and harm reduction has been evolving rapidly in recent years, and South Africa is no…
ahra_admin6 September 2023
New Tobacco Bill Will Cost Mzansi Lives and Money
Smoking prevalence in South Africa is extremely high and has shown little decline in the last decade. This is a…
ahra_admin3 August 2023
Tobacco Harm Reduction Seminar in Brazil: A Comprehensive Discussion
São Paulo, 11 May 2023 – Specialists from fields such as public health, academia and government gathered for the South…
ahra_admin9 June 2023
World No Tobacco Day: Sweden’s Experience and Lessons for Africa
World No Tobacco Day is upon us again, seeking to advise, inspire and support smokers to quit their deadly habit.…
ahra_admin31 May 2023
Quit Like Sweden To Save Millions Of Smokers’ Lives, Experts Urge SA Lawmakers Johannesburg 1 May 2023
LEADING international public health experts have urged South African lawmakers to follow the pioneering example of ‘Smoke Free Sweden’ to…
ahra_admin3 May 2023
World Health Day: How Harm Reduction Promotes Healthier Lifestyles
Author: Joseph Magero This year’s World Health Day provides an opportunity to look back at successful public health strategies that…
ahra_admin2 May 2023
Accelerate TB Reduction on World Tuberculosis Day
World Tuberculosis Day, observed each year on the 24th of March, serves as a reminder that we can greatly accelerate…
ahra_admin12 April 2023
Smoking Interventions Improve Women’s Health
As the world marks International Women’s Day, we are steering our focus toward closing the gap among women smokers in…
ahra_admin22 March 2023
What are the top benefits of nicotine pouches?
"Smoke-free nicotine pouches: a life-saving option for the 1.1 billion smokers worldwide" Nicotine pouches are a tobacco-free version of Swedish…
ahra_admin28 February 2023
Indigenous People’s Fight For Inclusion on World Cancer Day
This year, World Cancer Day raised awareness about the barriers that exist for people around the world in accessing care…
ahra_admin9 February 2023
Tax Increase On Nicotine Products In Kenya
According to the Kenyan Ministry of Health, tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death in the country. Unfortunately,…
ahra_admin3 February 2023
Harm Reduction for Neglected Diseases and A Neglected Population
Author: Joseph Magero, of Campaign for Safer Alternatives World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day – 30 January 2023 Over a billion…
ahra_admin1 February 2023
Policy Watch: Why Adopting Harm Reduction Policies for Africa Is Crucial
Although the global smoking prevalence has fallen, smoking rates in Africa remain disturbingly high (and has actually increased in 10…
ahra_admin19 January 2023
Africa Must Learn From UK Study Showing Vapes Are Far Less Risky Than Smoking
Major new research that shows vaping is far less risky than smoking proves Africa is falling dangerously behind world leaders…
ahra_admin5 October 2022
In Aid of World Heart Day – Thursday, 29 September. The Health Burden of NCDs – A Pleading Call for Tobacco Harm Reduction
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—including cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancer—account for about 60% of global deaths, mostly in low and…
ahra_admin29 September 2022
Is Sub-Saharan Africa Not Taking Tobacco Harm Reduction Seriously?
A new article has been published by the Tobacco Reporter magazine, which highlights the “urgent need for the region to…
ahra_admin21 September 2022
THR: A Historic Opportunity for Our Health & Our Planet
The road to a healthier future for our people and our planet must be paved by three elements: compassion, collaboration,…
ahra_user8 April 2022
E-Book: Ensuring female leadership and diversity in THR
Representation and inclusion yield more robust ideas and innovations. On Wednesday 30 March, we had the privilege of hosting Aishat…
ahra_user6 April 2022
ENDS to be taxed at 75% combustibles rate in South Africa
The South African Treasury's tax on ENDS at 25% less than combustible tobacco over the past two years gives a…
ahra_user29 March 2022
Four Basic Consumer Rights Not Respected by the Anti-THR Lobby
There is a poverty of knowledge, and a poverty of risk communication about THR products. Consumers are paying the price.…
ahra_user18 March 2022
Product Safety Standards of Oral Nicotine in Africa
A Call For Product Safety Standards, Says Tobacco Harm Reduction Experts A group of world-renowned tobacco harm reduction experts spoke…
ahra_admin23 February 2022
AHRA’s response to South African Treasury’s proposed taxation of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)
ENDS should be clearly separated from cigarettes, as they are not tobacco products. No tax, or at the most clearly…
ahra_user10 February 2022
Review of the risks and toxicants of smokeless tobacco in Kenya
Kenyans choosing traditional oral products and smokeless tobacco with higher cancer risk and toxicants. A research group from the University…
ahra_admin18 January 2022
Harm reduction policies unpacked
“The world’s deadly harm reduction policies unpacked” – Clive Bates The global public health establishment has adopted a “statist, coercive…
ahra_admin17 January 2022
Misinformation on Nicotine
Profound Problem of Misinformation on Nicotine for Health Practitioners in Africa "Health professionals in Africa find themselves confronted by a…
ahra_admin17 January 2022
Dear WHO: STOP killing smokers by protecting cigarettes from healthy competition
One of this quarter’s highlights was a webinar on 2 November hosted by Asanda Gcoyi from Vapour Products Association of…
ahra_admin7 December 2021
Letter to the World Health Organization (WHO)
Letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) and delegates of the Ninth Conference of Parties (COP9) regarding the Framework Convention…
ahra_admin27 October 2021
