BAT roots for smokeless products ahead of No Tobacco Day

BAT Kenya Board of Directors Chairperson Rita Kavashe and BAT K Managing Director Crispin Achola during the launch of the 2023 BATK Sustainability Report. July 7, 2024. [Courtesy, Standard]

BAT Kenya has called for collaboration to accelerate progress towards building a smokeless world ahead of the World No Tobacco Day to be marked on May 31.

Until recently, the only means to address the harm associated with smoking cigarettes was tobacco control measures to make smoking less appealing.

However, a variety of smokeless products, such as vapes and nicotine pouches, are available and produce a fraction of the toxicants present in cigarette smoke.

These products have come as pressure mounts around the world against tobacco, with Kenya among the countries to have banned cigarette smoking in public.

"BAT's introduction of smokeless products such as oral nicotine pouches into the Kenyan market reflects our commitment to meet the preferences of today's adult smokers, while transforming our business by adapting to consumer and market changes with innovative nicotine products," said BAT Kenya Managing Director and General Manager, East and Southern Africa Markets, Crispin Achola, in a statement.

"Tobacco control has a role to play, and it is in everyone's interest to reduce the harm associated with smoking cigarettes. Addressing such a significant societal issue can only be achieved through open dialogue, sharing scientific research, and collaboration."

The World Health Organisation has been pushing for stricter tobacco control measures, including imposing punitive taxes on products, to reduce the health burden.

Achola said BAT supports progressive regulation that allows adult smokers to access better alternatives, enabling them to make informed decisions about switching, while protecting consumers through high product standards, preventing youth access, and curbing illicit trade.

"It is estimated that approximately 37 per cent of the cigarette volume in Kenya is illicit, a worrisome statistic which is in nobody's interest and one we would not want to see replicated for smokeless alternatives," Achola said.

"We believe that the evidence supporting a harm reduction approach is compelling, with smokeless products regulated based on their lower risk profile, using the best available scientific evidence.

"This approach could accelerate Kenya's progress towards achieving a smoke-free status."