Health advocates push for harm reduction in smoking alternatives
Safer smoking alternatives were high on the agenda at a women’s wellness event where Gauteng MPL and former health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku called for deeper engagement on harm reduction.
Speaking at The Wellness Collective, a gathering focused on shifting South Africa from selling harm to promoting wellness, Masuku on Tuesday pointed to the example of a pregnant woman who smokes but cannot quit entirely.
“So, it's just a matter that maybe scientists must take a more serious approach on the alternatives on addiction itself,” he said. Parliament is continuing public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill.
Independent scientists and medical practitioners have already told the portfolio committee on health that harm reduction is grounded in science and offers safer alternatives to smoking.
Tobacco harm reduction advocate Buhle Binta, who also...
