The Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a warning against the utilization of Nicotine Replacement Therapies, emphasizing that nicotine, regardless of its form or concentration, poses health risks.
These therapies, which are medically sanctioned methods for addressing tobacco use disorder by administering nicotine through non-tobacco means such as gum, patches, sprays, inhalers, or lozenges, were criticized by Dr. Hafisa Lukwata, the Ag. Assistant Commissioner overseeing mental health and substance abuse control in the ministry. Lukwata expressed concerns, stating unequivocally that these products are not deemed safe.
In an interview with URN on Thursday, Lukwata conveyed her stance: “There is no safe level of nicotine for anyone, and these products should not be used without proper guidance from a healthcare worker.”
This statement followed activists’ media advocacy for safer nicotine alternatives. Joel Sawa, a Team Lead at Tobacco Harm Reduction Uganda, asserted that these products, approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), boast over fifty percent effectiveness in aiding smoking cessation.
Sawa contended that the majority of smoking-related harm occurs during cigarette combustion, involving over seventy thousand chemical reactions.
Sawa recommended the use of e-cigarettes, which employ electronic nicotine delivery systems, as a preferable alternative to traditional cigarettes. He explained, “Nicotine patches are a viable option for the majority of the population.”
However, Lukwata dismissed the notion of harm reduction through such therapies as a marketing ploy by the industry, emphasizing that these products should only be used under the guidance of trained health professionals.
She remarked, “Whatever they are marketing as harm reduction is just a gimmick, and these products should only be ordered under the supervision of specialized health facilities.”
Although nicotine replacement therapies are available in Uganda, public awareness is limited, and their high prices make them financially inaccessible for many.
MoH statistics reveal that 7.9 percent of adults aged fifteen and above in Uganda use tobacco products. Sawa urged the Ministry to revise its policies and integrate such innovations into the overall care plan to assist a significant number of individuals in quitting smoking.
“As of now, the Ministry needs to reassess its approach and incorporate these innovations into the broader strategy for dealing with cigarette smoking,” Sawa emphasized.
In a recent call to action, the WHO cautioned against the hasty adoption of such innovations. Concerning e-cigarettes, the organization urged countries permitting their commercialization to implement stringent regulations, including the prohibition of all flavors, restrictions on nicotine concentration and quality, and the imposition of taxes to mitigate their appeal and potential harm to the population.