Tobacco Harm Reduction

Saving Lives Through Harm Reduction

Tobacco use remains a major cause of preventable death and disease in Kenya. HRSK is at the forefront of tobacco harm reduction, empowering communities with information on safer alternatives and supporting individuals on their journey to better health. Our approach is grounded in the latest international evidence.

Tobacco harm reduction focuses on reducing the health risks associated with tobacco use. While quitting tobacco entirely is the best option, many individuals struggle to quit. Harm reduction strategies provide safer alternatives and support for those who continue to use tobacco.

We work with clinicians, pharmacists, and community health workers to integrate tobacco harm reduction into healthcare settings across Kenya, ensuring that every person who smokes has access to non-judgmental, evidence-based support.

Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs)

Affordable and accessible NRTs such as nicotine gum, patches, and lozenges help smokers quit by delivering nicotine without the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke.

Regulation of Novel Products

Regulating e-cigarettes and other novel tobacco products to ensure they are safe and effective alternatives to combustible tobacco with clear quality, labelling, and marketing standards.

Promote Safer Alternatives

Encouraging use of less harmful alternatives to combustible tobacco, such as smokeless tobacco products and e-cigarettes, which reduce exposure to harmful toxins.

Access to Information

Providing accurate and accessible information on tobacco harm reduction strategies. Public health campaigns educate people about the risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting.

Policy Engagement

Advocating for policies that support harm reduction, including the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Policies must focus on reducing tobacco use and protecting public health.

MPOWER Measures

Implementing WHO's MPOWER measures: monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from tobacco smoke, offering cessation help, warning about dangers, enforcing advertising bans, and raising taxes.

What We Do on the Ground

• Public education on tobacco harm reduction and cessation options
• Training health professionals on evidence-based tobacco interventions
• Tobacco Harm Reduction Forum for healthcare stakeholder engagement
• Advocacy for tobacco harm reduction policies aligned with WHO FCTC
• Distribution of evidence-based publications and resources
• Partnerships with international harm reduction networks including HRiSSA
• Community outreach in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and beyond
• Supporting nicotine-dependent individuals to access cessation services