By Veronica Mrema - South Africa
A sharp increase in the number of smokers has been recorded across Africa over the past 15 consecutive years, despite long-standing efforts by countries on the continent to curb the crisis.
Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan countries and parts of the Middle East, remains among the few regions globally where the number of people smoking combustible cigarettes continues to grow exponentially.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the number of smokers in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 52 million in the year 2000 to 66 million in 2015.
WHO, warns that the figure could rise further to 84 million by the end of 2025 a 60% increase if stronger global efforts are not put in place to combat the issue.
This concern formed a central topic at the TECHNOVATION - 2025 [Smoke-Free] conference held in Cape Town, South Africa a platform bringing together doctors, researchers, and journalists from various parts of Africa for in-depth discussions.
Speakers emphasized the urgent need for Africa to adopt technological solutions to reduce smoking-related harm, pointing to over a decade of research that has shown promising results in more developed countries.
“As smoking rates are rising in Africa, they are declining globally particularly in developed regions such as Europe, North America, and parts of Asia,” said Tommaso Di Giovanni, Vice President, Communication and Engagement, Philip Morris International [PMI] while opening the event.
PMI officials, researchers, doctors, and journalists from across the continent convened to explore the role of technology in addressing this public health challenge.
“Technological products have helped address many human challenges globally,” said Tommaso, emphasizing:
“Africa has made significant strides in embracing technologies such as Wi-Fi, smartphones, mobile banking, solar energy, and telemedicine.”
PMI has invested over USD 14 billion in research, development, and distribution of smoke-free tobacco products as part of its commitment to addressing the smoking epidemic.
The company revealed that over 40% of its global revenue currently comes from smoke free products.
“We need policies that distinguish between cigarettes and alternative products. Favorable taxation, accurate public information, and supportive regulation for these products can accelerate change,” said one of PMI’s senior executives.
“These technologies include heated tobacco products, electronic vaping devices (e-vapes), and nicotine pouches,” explained Dr. Buhle Binta, Head of Scientific Engagement, Sub-Saharan Africa - PMI.
However, not all African countries, including Tanzania, have officially approved PMI’s smoke-free products.
Many African nations still lack any specific regulatory framework to approve, adopt, or officially allow such products into their markets.
PMI insists that these products offer a viable alternative that can help reduce smoking prevalence in the long term.
“A smoker keeps lighting cigarettes because of the need for nicotine. These innovative smoke-free products developed by PMI are different,” said Dr. Binta, adding:
“They still deliver nicotine which smokers crave but they do not emit harmful tobacco smoke, the main cause of diseases like cancer, heart disease, and lung disorders.”
“Studies have shown that these alternatives can significantly reduce exposure to harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke when burned.”
TECHNOVATION 2025 encourages African nations to adopt science-based approaches rather than emotional reactions, and to prioritize innovation over tradition in addressing the tobacco epidemic.
Themba Mathebula Director, External Affairs, Southern Africa - PMI, said he believes that strong collaboration between the private sector, governments, and communities can lead to meaningful change across Africa.
“These new smoke-free tobacco technologies can make a real difference in protecting public health from the dangers of combustible cigarettes,” he said.
He emphasized that heated tobacco products, e-vapes, and nicotine pouches offer alternative solutions that can help reduce tobacco-related harm among adult smokers.
During the discussions, stakeholders called on African governments to abandon outdated policies that hinder the use of smoke-free alternatives.
Instead, they urged the adoption of scientific evidence and modern policies to save the lives of millions of smokers and those affected by second-hand smoke across the continent.
The conference, organized by PMI, aimed to promote a progressive view on reducing the harm of smoking under the Tobacco Harm Reduction agenda.
The central message emphasized was, "If don't smoke, don’t start. If you start, quit. But if you don't quit, change by considering switching to smoke-free alternatives to protect yourself and others.”
Chapisha Maoni