Smoke-free alternatives can help cut deaths, say industry players

EFFORTS to make smoke-free products more widely available could help South Africa reduce smoking-related deaths, industry players have said, as the government finalises new legislation for the tobacco sector. However, the affordability of these alternatives has become a key concern.

- TAWANDA KAROMBO

With over 8.6 million smokers in South Africa according to the Global Action to End Smoking, the number of smoke related deaths remains elevated at about 32 000 per year based on statistics from Tobacco Control Data.

Tobacco manufacturers such as Philip Morris International (PMI) believe that smoke-free alternatives will play a key role in ending smoke related deaths as consumers shift to noncombustible nicotine pouches and other alternatives.

Smoke-free products are also seen helping to end drug-related problems afflicting SA and other African countries. However, organisations such as the WHO are against this.