BAT calls for progressive regulations to make Ghana smoke-free on World Vape Day

BAT, a leading manufacturer of tobacco and nicotine products, advocates for a regulatory framework to encourage adult smokers to switch to smokeless alternatives.

On the occasion of World Vape Day, BAT West and Central Africa is calling for the implementation of sustainable regulations on smokeless nicotine and tobacco products such as vapor products to achieve a smoke-free Ghana.

BAT states: “To realize the harm reduction potential of smoke-free products, appropriate regulations are required to encourage adult smokers to switch, protect consumers through rigorous safety standards, and prevent access by minors.”

In a statement issued on World Vape Day, BAT proposed four principles for effective and impactful regulation of smokeless tobacco and nicotine products:

1. Access to products relevant to the consumer: Regulations should also enable a wide range of smokeless alternatives to ensure that consumers have access to these alternatives and make informed choices about switching to smoking based on available scientific evidence.
2. Adult only consumer: The use and sale of smokeless tobacco and nicotine products by minors should be prohibited by law.
3. Product quality and safety: Robust and properly enforced quality and safety standards should form the basis of regulation to protect consumers.
4. Robust enforcement: The Regulation should provide enforcement authorities with the necessary powers to apply penalties and sanctions against persons who do not comply with the rules, in particular those who supply non-compliant products and those who supply products to minors.

Yarub Al-Bahrani, managing director of BAT West & Central Africa, said: “Providing adult smokers with reduced risk alternatives that enable them to make informed choices is crucial both for countries looking to reduce smoking rates and for broader global public health . “Whether governments can take advantage of these products and maximize their harm reduction potential depends as much on the implementation of progressive regulation proportionate to the risk as on changes in consumer behavior.”

According to BAT, countries that have implemented legislation recognizing the harm reduction potential of smokeless products and supporting their use in adult smokers have seen a decline in smoking.

Britain, the United States and Japan are reporting their lowest ever smoking rates, while Sweden is on track to declare itself smoke-free this year, 16 years ahead of meeting the EU’s 2040 target.

According to BAT, this is largely the result of widespread awareness, regulated availability and use of smokeless alternatives such as vapor products, heated products and nicotine pouches.

“There are common misconceptions about the risks of using smokeless products compared to smoking. These discourage many smokers who don’t quit from switching to smokeless products. The science is clear: well-managed tobacco and smokeless nicotine products have a much lower risk profile than smoking. Smoking-related harm is caused by toxic substances released when tobacco burns,” Yarub added.

BAT’s goal is to create a better tomorrow by building a smoke-free world.

This commitment is demonstrated in a variety of ways, including the Company’s investment of over 5,598,600,000 cedis annually in the development of smokeless tobacco and nicotine products sold in over 75 markets around the world.

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