BATN advocates for progressive regulation to achieve a smoke-free economy

Author: Motolani Oseni

British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) advocates for the implementation of sustainable regulations on smokeless nicotine and tobacco products such as vapor products to achieve a smoke-free economy in the country.

BATN) also called for a regulatory framework to encourage adult smokers to switch to smokeless alternatives, with recommendations aimed at creating a smoke-free world.

BAT, in a statement to journalists, explained that to realize the harm reduction potential of smoke-free products, appropriate regulations are needed to encourage adult smokers to switch, protect consumers through rigorous safety standards and prevent access by minors.

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To this end, BAT Nigeria has proposed four principles for effective and impactful regulation of smokeless tobacco and nicotine products, including: Access to consumer-relevant products; Adults Only Consumers, which prohibits the use and sale of smokeless tobacco and nicotine products to minors, should be prohibited by law.

He said product quality and safety should be properly enforced, adding that quality and safety standards should be at the heart of regulations aimed at protecting consumers.

In terms of robust enforcement, BAT stressed the need for the Regulation to provide enforcement authorities with the necessary powers to apply penalties and sanctions against those who do not comply with the rules, in particular those who supply non-compliant products and supply products to minors.

Commenting on the development, BAT West & Central Africa Managing Director, Yarub Al-Bahrani, said that providing adult smokers with reduced-risk alternatives that enable them to make informed choices is crucial for both countries seeking to reduce smoking rates and for the global public health. broadly.

Whether governments can take advantage of these products and maximize their harm reduction potential depends as much on the implementation of progressive regulation commensurate with risk as on changes in consumer behavior, he said.

He said countries that have implemented laws recognizing the harm reduction potential of smokeless products and supporting their use in adult smokers have seen a decline in the number of people who smoke.

He noted that 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 the EU’s 2040 target.

He believes this is largely due to widespread awareness, regulated availability and use of smokeless alternatives such as vapor products, heated products and nicotine pouches.