In a bid to reduce smoking related diseases and death, Public health experts have called on Nigerian government to adopt a context-specific harm reduction strategy modeled after Sweden’s experience.
Speaking separately at a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Abuja, they stressed the need for government policy reforms, education, and collaboration among health professionals, the media, and communities.
The stakeholders forum themed, “Can Nigeria Quit Like Sweden?”, aims to discuss public health issues around smoking cessation and harm reduction which is Sweden’s comprehensive approach that combines smoking cessation and prevention measures with policies that allow people who smoke to choose alternatives instead.
Speaking at the event, Director of Quit Like Sweden (QLS), Suely Castro, explained that the Swedish approach to tobacco control focuses on harm reduction through the provision of safer alternatives to smokers rather than total eradication.
She said, “We are here to talk about the Swedish experience, which is an approach that talks about harm reduction in the field of tobacco.”
“What we talk about is enabling people to have alternatives that are accessible, affordable, and acceptable. Nigeria is a very diverse country, and we cannot copy and paste Sweden’s approach into Nigeria, but we can learn from it and make it work for the Nigerian context.”
Castro also noted that every country has its peculiarities, hence the need for local adaptation.
“No policy can be transplanted from one country to another because every country has its peculiarities.”
“You do need to offer alternatives to your people. What works for one person may not work for another. Sometimes people have to try different things to see what helps them because the reasons people smoke are diverse.”
She further stated that QLS does not promote any specific product but focuses on education and harm reduction principles.
“I don’t promote any product. The product is just an enabler for people to be helped. We promote helping people who really need it — the smokers who are suffering first, and whose families and communities also suffer the consequences,” she said.
On the potential health and economic benefits of implementing the Swedish model, Castro said reducing smoking prevalence would save Nigeria huge healthcare costs.
“We hope that one day Nigeria can have as low a smoking prevalence as Sweden does. Nigerians deserve more money to be invested in education, health, and other sectors. If we reduce smoking-related diseases, the government can channel those funds into other areas,” she said.
On QLS’s relationship with the government, Castro said engagement with policymakers was crucial.
“Government is very important because policymakers make decisions that affect the population. We always try to engage them respectfully,” she explained. “Sometimes they don’t want to meet or hear about it, which is sad because all we try to do is discuss options for people. At least, they should listen.”
Also speaking, Pharmacist-Epidemiologist and Director of Research at Global Focus, University of Ibadan, Dr. Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi, said science-based policymaking and collaboration among key stakeholders are essential to translating global knowledge into local realities.
“We understand the science behind reduced-risk products,” Adebisi stated. “What we need to do is engage stakeholders — people who smoke, healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers — to make sure we translate the science into local context. It’s about balance; we understand the benefits and the risks, and we must localize that understanding.”
He added that healthcare professionals play a central role in promoting smoking cessation and harm reduction.
“Healthcare providers need to educate people about reduced-risk products and the options available to smokers,” he explained. “In the United Kingdom, for instance, people start with nicotine replacement therapy, and if that fails, they are introduced to other reduced-risk products like vaping. We can adapt similar models in Nigeria.”
Adebisi said public education campaigns should be used to communicate the risks and benefits of alternative nicotine products.
“Education can happen through pharmacies, webinars, and community workshops,” he said. “The media is also very important in communicating these messages, but all discussions must be grounded in science.”
He disclosed that efforts were ongoing to strengthen collaboration between academia and the media through training and scholarship opportunities.
“We recently held a webinar for journalists to educate them about the benefits and risks of tobacco harm reduction,” Adebisi explained. “We have a Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme that journalists can apply for to deepen their knowledge and carry out projects that enhance public understanding.”
In her remarks, Dr. Tata Eunice, a public health specialist from Cameroon, said Nigeria’s major challenge in implementing the Swedish approach would be regulation, affordability, and accessibility of alternative products.
“What worked in Sweden might not necessarily work in Nigeria,” she warned. “Sweden has a regulated market for these alternatives. Nigeria must strengthen its policies, ensure affordability, and regulate the market to keep out illicit products.”
Dr. Tata observed that making safer products available and affordable for the average Nigerian was key.
“Accessibility is not just about making the products available but also affordable. We have to make sure the average Nigerian can afford them.”
“If the policies are strengthened and properly implemented, it will be easier for people to switch from combustible tobacco to safer alternatives.”
She also noted the role of schools and communities in tobacco control.
“Most smokers start young, so getting youths involved in tobacco harm reduction activities is crucial,” she said. “If they are educated, made aware of the benefits of quitting or switching, and constantly monitored, it will improve the success rate of smoking cessation programs.”
Similarly, Mr. Uche Olatunji, Convener of Tobacco Harm Reduction Nigeria (THRNigeria), called for sustained media engagement and mental health awareness to support tobacco harm reduction efforts.
“The media has a lot to do with educating the public,” he said. “Conversations like this help push the information out, and when they continue, the enlightenment gets to the grassroots.”
He pointed out that tertiary institutions play a vital role in shaping young adults’ understanding of harm reduction.
“It all boils down to education and sensitization at the tertiary institution level,” he said. “If young people understand mental health and personal health issues, they’ll better appreciate tobacco harm reduction and make informed decisions.”
Olatunji maintained that the goal of harm reduction is saving lives, not promoting tobacco use.
“Our focus should be on saving lives,” he said. “If safer alternatives like e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches are available, people can make healthier choices. It will also create jobs for those in the traditional tobacco value chain, while reducing deaths from smoking-related diseases.”
He also said empowering health professionals with accurate information was key.
“If doctors and nurses fully understand the concept of harm reduction, they’ll be able to advise patients who struggle to quit smoking and guide them toward safer alternatives,” he added.
The forum ended with a shared agreement among speakers that Nigeria can learn from Sweden’s experience but must tailor its approach to local realities through inclusive policymaking, science-based communication, and stronger public education.