Tobacco harm reduction in Afghanistan: a recipe for improving smokers’ health
Abstract 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 c...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-023-00517-2 |
| _version_ | 1797945998644871168 |
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| author | Attaullah Ahmadi Ali Rahimi Mohammad Faisal Wardak Hamidullah Ahmadi Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno |
| author_facet | Attaullah Ahmadi Ali Rahimi Mohammad Faisal Wardak Hamidullah Ahmadi Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno |
| author_sort | Attaullah Ahmadi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T21:05:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c15d8aa9e0e48cc97c1983e56b58ec6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1747-597X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T21:05:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c15d8aa9e0e48cc97c1983e56b58ec62023-01-22T12:05:05ZengBMCSubstance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy1747-597X2023-01-011811710.1186/s13011-023-00517-2Tobacco harm reduction in Afghanistan: a recipe for improving smokers’ healthAttaullah Ahmadi0Ali Rahimi1Mohammad Faisal Wardak2Hamidullah Ahmadi3Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno4École des Hautes Études en Santé PubliqueMedical Faculty, Herat UniversityMedical Faculty, Herat UniversityAmerican University of AfghanistanFaculty of Management and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Open UniversityAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-023-00517-2TobaccoHarm reductionSmoking cessationE-cigarettesTobacco harm reductionAfghanistan |
| spellingShingle | Attaullah Ahmadi Ali Rahimi Mohammad Faisal Wardak Hamidullah Ahmadi Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno Tobacco harm reduction in Afghanistan: a recipe for improving smokers’ health Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy Tobacco Harm reduction Smoking cessation E-cigarettes Tobacco harm reduction Afghanistan |
| title | Tobacco harm reduction in Afghanistan: a recipe for improving smokers’ health |
| title_full | Tobacco harm reduction in Afghanistan: a recipe for improving smokers’ health |
| title_fullStr | Tobacco harm reduction in Afghanistan: a recipe for improving smokers’ health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tobacco harm reduction in Afghanistan: a recipe for improving smokers’ health |
| title_short | Tobacco harm reduction in Afghanistan: a recipe for improving smokers’ health |
| title_sort | tobacco harm reduction in afghanistan a recipe for improving smokers health |
| topic | Tobacco Harm reduction Smoking cessation E-cigarettes Tobacco harm reduction Afghanistan |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-023-00517-2 |
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