Health experts have called for the adoption of Sweden's approach to reducing smoking-related deaths by embracing harm reduction strategies.
A Tobacco harm reduction roundtable discussion held on September 26, 2024, in Tema by the Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI), focused on the urgent need to reduce the harm caused by tobacco use, especially combustible cigarettes, in Ghana.
Peter Bismark Kwofie, Executive Director of ILAPI, pointed out that tobacco smoking claims over 8 million lives annually worldwide, with 6700 of these deaths occurring in Ghana due to smoking-related diseases.
He emphasized the need for a progressive stance on harm reduction strategies for those unwilling or unable to quit smoking.