Despite the massive crackdown on smoking in the form of bans and taxes, coupled with well-coordinated misinformation around emerging Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) alternatives, World Health Organisation (WHO) data shows that at least 8 million smokers continue to die from smoking-related diseases on an annual basis while one million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke also die from passive smoking. By Michael Gwarisa Overall smoking rates in Africa remain low by international comparisons, with a prevalence of 8.4 percent across the continent. While smoking prevalence is relatively low on…
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CIMAS rolls out smoking cessation program to help those trying to quit smoking
IN a bid to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with smoking combustible cigarettes, CIMAS Medical Aid Society has rolled out a three month long smoking cessation program to allow smokers to gradually quit smoking. By Michael Gwarisa The program is covered under CIMAS Medical Aid drug and substance abuse rehabilitation package and will see smokers accessing nicotine through patches that deliver nicotine without combustion or burning. Speaking during a virtual meeting to mark World Drug and Substance Abuse Awareness day, Tinashe Katikiti, Highlands Wellness Clinical Psychologist and General Manager said…
Read MoreFacing The Elephant In The Room: How Disinformation Is Standing In The Way Of Tobacco Harm Reduction
The American Centre for Disease Control (CDC) defines harm reduction as any behaviour or strategy that helps reduce risk or harm to yourself or others. For almost every societal problem, there are available harm reduction options. For example, to reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV, one needs to practice safer sex or safer drug use. By Michael Gwarisa Since the year 2006, there has been exponential expansion of interest in Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) after the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) became the first American scientific…
Read MoreTobacco Harm Reduction Journalists Forum Revived
A Journalists platform comprising of media practitioners from East, West and Southern Africa whose purpose is to enhance coverage of alternative smoke free and non-combustive tobacco products has been revived after a two year hiatus. By Michael Gwarisa The Tobacco Harm Reduction media forum was formed in November 2017 at Enashipai Resort, in Naivasha, Kenya through support from Phillip Morris International (PMI) a leading producer of tobacco and smoke free products. Since 2017, Barnabas Tondhlana, a seasoned Journalist and Publisher from Zimbabwe co-chaired the forum with David Ohito, a Kenyan…
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