New smoking applied sciences, which embody e-cigarettes and heated tobacco merchandise, are taking part in a major position in decreasing hurt amongst nicotine customers worldwide, doubtlessly reducing the dangers of smoking-related illnesses.
Nevertheless, these applied sciences typically face skepticism and resistance resulting from issues about their long-term well being results, triggering their sluggish uptake in most African international locations, notably within the sub-Sahara area, the place cigarette smoking is changing into a major public well being concern.
A mixture of things have been linked to the delay in adoption of the applied sciences, together with sturdy tobacco business interference, weak regulatory frameworks, and a scarcity of public consciousness and training.
These challenges are additional compounded by the potential for rise in smoking charges within the area, making it essential to deal with them with a view to shield public well being.
Philip Morris Worldwide (PMI) Space Vice for Sub Saharan Africa, Branislav Bibic, is nervous with the sluggish adoption of the these applied sciences in Africa international locations, notably in sub Saharan Africa.
In an unique interview on the sidelines of Technovation 2025, which happened in Cape City, South Africa, on June 10, 2025, Bibic, warned that sluggish adoption of the applied sciences may hinder progress in decreasing tobacco-related diseases.
He additional warned that by delaying to embrace the brand new applied sciences, people who smoke are exposing themselves to the chance of smoking-related illnesses like most cancers, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular points.
“It is true that introducing new applied sciences is less complicated in developed markets, the place folks have more cash, larger affordability, and extra info. We all know that Africa is sweet at adopting new applied sciences, often with some delay,” he mentioned.
Africa’s distinctive socioeconomic panorama, together with excessive charges of poverty and unemployment; has made it extra weak to the tobacco business’s advertising and marketing ways and create challenges for implementing efficient tobacco management measures.
Research have revealed that balancing the potential for hurt discount with complete tobacco management methods is a key problem. Moreover, tobacco corporations are using aggressive advertising and marketing ways, notably focusing on youth and ladies, to advertise smoking as an indication of modernity and success.
Many African international locations have weak or poorly enforced tobacco management legal guidelines, permitting the tobacco business to function with minimal penalties. Research additionally discovered challenges in regulating rising nicotine merchandise comparable to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco merchandise.
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Furthermore, there’s a lack of harmonized regulatory approaches throughout the completely different African nations, resulting in inconsistencies in how tobacco merchandise are regulated. Moreover, inadequate authorities funding for tobacco management packages hinders the implementation of efficient insurance policies and public well being initiatives.
Bibic concurred, lamenting that this undermines tobacco management efforts and might create a notion that new applied sciences are undesirable.
Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that the brand new applied sciences will finally penetrate the African market, assuring that PMI will proceed committing its sources in direction of selling them.
“We’re assured that these new applied sciences will even develop throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the place PMI is taking part in a crucial position. We stay dedicated to continued funding in smoke-free products–not solely in developed international locations but additionally in Africa, the place extra progress is required in regulation and taxation,” he mentioned.
Bibic acknowledged that each the business and customers in Africa are desirous to embrace new applied sciences and transition away from cigarettes.
Nevertheless, he emphasised the necessity for governments to “do extra by offering particular, differentiated regulation and taxation for these merchandise”, hinting that this could assist speed up the transition.
“We’re participating as broadly as attainable with communities and policymakers. We’re sharing the science behind smoke-free merchandise and their potential to cut back hurt from smoking. We’re additionally working to speed up progress by means of the event of particular rules for these merchandise. It isn’t a simple course of, however we’re doing our greatest,” mentioned Bibic.
