As the world marks World Vaping Day on May 30, 2025 , Nigerian public health experts are calling on the federal government to urgently adopt evidence-based tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategies to combat the country’s high smoking rates.
The global event brings together scientists, former smokers, and health advocates to raise awareness about the benefits of safer nicotine alternatives—particularly vaping —as effective tools for reducing the harms associated with traditional cigarette use.
This year’s theme emphasizes the growing urgency for African nations like Nigeria to embrace science-backed policies that support adult smokers in transitioning away from combustible tobacco.
Nigeria at a Public Health Crossroads
“Nigeria stands at a public health crossroads,” said Yusuff Adebisi Adebayo , a leading public health advocate and director at Global Health Focus . “Global data is clear: countries that embrace vaping and similar alternatives are seeing dramatic declines in smoking rates. Nigeria must not be left behind.”
According to findings from multiple studies—including landmark reviews by Public Health England and the Royal College of Physicians —vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking . Unlike cigarettes, e-cigarettes deliver nicotine without combustion, which is responsible for most of the harmful effects of smoking.
Yet, despite this compelling evidence, Nigeria remains among many African countries without a comprehensive national policy on vaping .
Experts warn that this regulatory vacuum may be costing lives.
“A smoker in Nigeria today has limited support to quit, and even fewer access points to safer alternatives,” said Adebayo, who also works with the Africa Tobacco-Free Initiative . “We need to educate, regulate, and empower—not criminalize—those trying to quit.”
Lessons from Around the World
Countries like Sweden and the United Kingdom have demonstrated the effectiveness of tobacco harm reduction strategies.
In Sweden , smoking rates have dropped below 5% , largely due to the widespread use of low-risk nicotine products like snus and e-cigarettes . Similarly, the UK’s progressive approach to vaping , including public health campaigns like “Stoptober”, has brought smoking prevalence down to 11.9% .
“The evidence is undeniable,” said Adebayo, a public health policy expert at the University of Ibadan . “Countries that provide access to safer nicotine products see faster declines in cigarette use. Nigeria must learn from these successes instead of repeating the failures of prohibitionist models.”
The Need for a Three-Pronged Strategy
While Nigeria continues to implement traditional anti-tobacco measures such as taxation, advertising bans, and cessation counseling, recent studies show that most smokers have no intention to quit , and cessation support is scarce , especially in rural areas.
Tobacco harm reduction advocates argue that an abstinence-only strategy is out of touch with the realities of millions of Nigerian smokers.
“THR isn’t about promoting nicotine,” said Dr. Ade Akinyele, a THR researcher. “It’s about giving people real-world tools to reduce harm. Every Nigerian deserves that choice.”
Experts are now urging the Nigerian government to adopt a three-pronged THR strategy :
- Regulate vaping products to ensure safety and quality control
- Educate the public about the relative risks of smoking versus vaping
- Support adult smokers seeking to switch to safer alternatives through public health campaigns
Call to Action: Join the Conversation!
What do you think about regulating vaping in Nigeria as part of a broader tobacco harm reduction Nigeria strategy? Should safer nicotine alternatives be made available to help reduce smoking-related harm?
💬 Share your thoughts in the comments below.
📢 Don’t forget to share this post on social media to spread awareness about the potential of tobacco harm reduction in Nigeria.
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