According to a report from businesswire on September 13th, international public health experts have expressed serious concerns regarding Kazakhstan's impending ban on e-cigarettes, calling it a "backward step." This move stands in stark contrast to those nations that have significantly reduced smoking hazards by promoting the use of alternative nicotine products.
The Smoke Free Sweden, a public health organization, believes that the Kazakh government's plan to implement this ban by January 1, 2024, will endanger the lives of the country's 3.2 million smokers. This is because they will lose the best opportunity to quit smoking.
Global health advocate and founder of Smoke-free Sweden, Delon Human, has stated, "We are deeply concerned about this backward move by the Ministry of Health in Kazakhstan, which goes against the remarkable achievements some countries have made in adopting modern products such as e-cigarettes and oral pouches."
Dr. Huhman believes that alternative nicotine products are saving the lives of millions by offering smokers a way to quit combustible cigarettes.
Studies have shown that they are at least 95% more harmful than traditional cigarettes, making them the most effective method for smokers to quit.
He urged the Kazakh authorities to emulate the approach of Sweden, a country that is expected to achieve a smoking rate below 5% in the coming months. This benchmark is considered the official smoke-free level for a nation.
According to reports, Sweden has become the first country in the European Union to achieve this milestone, 17 years ahead of the original plan. This feat has been accomplished through the implementation of policies that make e-cigarettes and oral pouches accessible, acceptable, and affordable for adult smokers.
Dr. Hughman stated, "If Kazakhstani authorities genuinely care about saving lives, they should follow scientific evidence and provide affordable e-cigarettes instead of prohibiting smokers from using them."
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