As nations across the world continue to make remarkable progress in reducing smoking rates through innovative health strategies, Professor Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso has urged Nigeria to embrace a balanced regulatory framework through Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) — a science-driven approach that encourages adult smokers to switch to verified, lower-risk alternatives to traditional cigarettes.
Globally, harm reduction policies have transformed public health outcomes. In the United Kingdom, adult smoking rates fell to a record low of 12.9 percent in 2022 after e-cigarettes were integrated into national cessation programs. New Zealand’s “Smokefree Aotearoa 2025” initiative also saw daily smoking drop from 16.4 percent in 2011/12 to 6.8 percent in 2022/23, while Japan recorded a 30 percent decline in cigarette sales within three years of introducing regulated heated tobacco products. Similarly, Norway achieved one of the world’s steepest declines, with daily smoking rates down to 7 percent, largely due to the adoption of snus, tobacco-free pouches, and e-cigarettes.
Prof. Ike-Muonso explained that these global examples highlight how harm reduction measures not only save lives but also produce faster, more sustainable results than traditional tobacco control strategies.
“Countries that base their regulations on science have shown that protecting public health and encouraging innovation can coexist,” he noted.
In Nigeria, while the Tobacco Control Act of 2015 offers a strong framework for regulating conventional tobacco products, it does not yet cover the growing range of alternative nicotine options. According to Prof. Ike-Muonso, this legal gap has created uncertainty for legitimate investors, fueled illicit trade, and weakened the government’s capacity to safeguard consumers and generate tax revenue.
He suggested that formally recognising and regulating reduced-risk alternatives could open new economic opportunities for Nigeria — promoting entrepreneurship, industrial diversification, and job creation while simultaneously improving health outcomes.
Structured regulation, he said, would also drive growth among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through local investment in manufacturing, packaging, and supply chains. Moreover, the introduction of targeted taxation could channel new revenue into public welfare sectors such as education, healthcare, and rural development.
“A well-defined THR policy can serve as both a health intervention and an economic empowerment tool at a time when Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy and broaden its fiscal base,” he added.
Prof. Ike-Muonso further emphasized that aligning Nigeria’s policies with global best practices would enhance the nation’s influence within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With the right strategy, Nigeria could evolve into a continental hub for harm reduction research, responsible manufacturing, and exports, driving both innovation and foreign exchange earnings.
He underscored that a comprehensive regulatory system must prioritize youth protection, responsible marketing, and strict product quality and safety standards.
“Balanced regulation is not about promoting tobacco,” he clarified. “It is about saving lives, ensuring accountability, and allowing Nigeria to benefit from evidence-based innovation.”
Prof. Ike-Muonso concluded that data-driven policies supporting THR and alternative nicotine products could give Nigeria a unique opportunity to improve public health, expand its economy, and position itself as a leader in Africa’s next phase of health innovation and economic growth.
