Tobacco harm reduction in Afghanistan: a recipe for improving smokers' health. 2023

Attaullah Ahmadi, and Ali Rahimi, and Mohammad Faisal Wardak, and Hamidullah Ahmadi, and Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno
École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique, Paris, France.

Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) offers a promising approach to addressing the significant burden of smoking in Afghanistan. Over three million Afghans smoke daily, making it a leading cause of preventable deaths in the country. While the previous Afghan government implemented various tobacco cessation policies and strategies, these measures were only partially effective in reducing the number of smokers or smoking-related deaths. In 2021, community-based initiatives in Kabul and Herat started advocating for Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) as a novel, realistic, and practical approach proven to promote smoking abstinence and minimize tobacco harm. However, implementing THR strategies in Afghanistan faces numerous challenges, including a lack of governmental support, funding issues, unfavorable market conditions, the high cost-effectiveness of THR products, and misconceptions about these products. To effectively promote THR in Afghanistan and overcome these challenges, it will be necessary to implement THR policies that support THR products for smokers, regulate the market for these products, produce them locally with healthcare professional oversight, conduct more engaging advocacy campaigns, and secure domestic sponsors.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000074285 Smokers Persons with a history or habit of SMOKING. Smokers, Non-Tobacco Products,Smokers, Tobacco,Vapers,Non-Tobacco Products Smoker,Non-Tobacco Products Smokers,Smoker,Smoker, Non-Tobacco Products,Smoker, Tobacco,Smokers, Non Tobacco Products,Tobacco Smoker,Tobacco Smokers,Vaper
D000346 Afghanistan Country located north and west of Pakistan, and east of Iran. The capital is Kabul.
D014026 Nicotiana A plant genus of the family SOLANACEAE. Members contain NICOTINE and other biologically active chemicals; the dried leaves of Nicotiana tabacum are used for SMOKING. Tobacco Plant,Nicotiana tabacum,Plant, Tobacco,Plants, Tobacco,Tobacco Plants
D016540 Smoking Cessation Discontinuing the habit of SMOKING. Giving Up Smoking,Quitting Smoking,Stopping Smoking,Cessation, Smoking,Smoking Cessations,Smoking, Giving Up,Smoking, Quitting,Smoking, Stopping,Smokings, Giving Up,Up Smoking, Giving
D040261 Harm Reduction The application of methods designed to reduce the risk of harm associated with certain behaviors without reduction in frequency of those behaviors. The risk-associated behaviors include ongoing and active addictive behaviors. Harm Minimization,Minimization, Harm,Reduction, Harm

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