Why Africa must not mistake vaping for harm reduction

In 2025, tobacco use in the WHO African Region was projected at about 8.9% among people aged 15 and older, following decades of laws, taxation and public education. Karambu Muthaura argues that harm reduction should be measured by fewer illnesses and deaths, not merely by switching products, since nicotine products carry health risks. Evidence that e-cigarettes help some smokers quit largely comes from controlled studies and does not show that expanding commercial nicotine markets improves population health; Sweden’s experience cannot automatically be applied to Kenya. She urges Kenyan policymakers to scrutinise research funding under Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and address marketing that may attract young people.