Kazakhstan Must Consider Different Approaches
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Harm Reduction Advocates is urging Kazakhstan to reconsider adopting tobacco harm reduction policies in light of the success experienced by Japan
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by Dave Cross
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The Coalition of Asia Pacific Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) has called on the Kazakh government to reassess its stance on tobacco harm reduction (THR) products, citing compelling evidence from Japan that demonstrates the significant health and economic benefits of embracing safer alternatives to smoking.
A recent study published in the journal Healthcare reveals that if 50% of smokers in Japan switched from combustible cigarettes to heated tobacco products (HTPs), it could prevent 12 million patient cases and save JPY 454 billion in healthcare costs. This data underscores the immense potential of THR strategies in countries with high smoking rates.
Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA, stated: “The Japanese example clearly illustrates that HTPs can be an effective harm reduction tool in nations where smoking prevalence remains high and other safer nicotine products are unavailable. Kazakhstan, with its significant gender disparity in smoking rates and tobacco-related health issues, could greatly benefit from adopting a more progressive approach to THR.
“Kazakhstan's current policies treat all nicotine products, including less harmful alternatives, the same as traditional cigarettes. This approach, coupled with the recent ban on vapes and high taxes on smokeless alternatives, demonstrates a concerning lack of acceptance for harm reduction strategies.
“By ignoring the potential of THR products, Kazakhstan is missing a crucial opportunity to save lives," Loucas added. "Our analysis suggests that embracing harm reduction policies could prevent 165,000 premature deaths in Kazakhstan over the next four decades. The government must reconsider its stance for the sake of public health.”
CAPHRA urges Kazakh policymakers to:
- Review and revise current regulations to differentiate between combustible cigarettes and less harmful alternatives.
- Consider the introduction of HTPs as a harm reduction tool, following Japan's successful model.
- Engage with public health experts and THR advocates to develop evidence-based policies.
- Implement a tiered taxation system that encourages smokers to switch to less harmful products.
Nancy Loucas concluded: “The time for Kazakhstan to act is now. By embracing tobacco harm reduction, the country can significantly improve public health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and potentially narrow the life expectancy gap between men and women. We stand ready to support Kazakhstan in developing and implementing effective THR policies.”
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Advocates is a regional alliance of consumer tobacco harm reduction advocacy organisations. Its mission is to educate, advocate and represent the right of adult alternative nicotine consumers to access and use of products that reduce harm from tobacco use.
CAPHRA says it stays committed to advocating for the rights of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region to access and use evidence-based, regulated, and properly marketed harm reduction products as a means of reducing the devastating impact of smoking-related diseases.
“We encourage further research, open dialogue, and collaboration with governments, health organisations, and stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcomes for public health,” CAPHRA states.
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
