Safer nicotine alternatives ‘can save 85,000 Sri Lankan lives’
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – MORE than 85,000 lives could be saved by 2060 if Sri Lanka integrated safer nicotine products into its public health policies, according to a new report released today by international health experts.
The comprehensive analysis highlights a stark disparity in smoking rates between Sri Lanka and countries with progressive nicotine policies. Male smoking prevalence in Sri Lanka stands at 17.7% – more than three times the rate in Sweden, where safer nicotine alternatives are accessible, acceptable and affordable for adult smokers looking to quit.
“Sri Lanka has a tremendous opportunity to dramatically improve public health outcomes by embracing safer alternatives like vapes and oral nicotine pouches, which are proven to be up to 95% less harmful than combustible cigarettes,” said Delon Human, President of Health Diplomats and co-author of the report.
“Our analysis shows that 85,000 lives could be saved over the next four decades through strategic policy changes that prioritise harm reduction alongside traditional tobacco control measures.”
The report identifies significant regulatory barriers currently preventing Sri Lankan smokers from accessing safer nicotine alternatives:
Vaping products containing nicotine are largely unregulated whilst vaping products containing tobacco are banned
Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are prohibited entirely
No specific regulations exist for oral nicotine pouches and however snus (oral tobacco) products are prohibited
While nicotine replacement therapy is available in pharmacies, awareness and uptake of these products are extremely limited
Derek Yach, another co-author of the report and a former president of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, said: “These policy barriers in Sri Lanka mean the use of smoke-free nicotine alternatives by people who smoke and cannot or will not quit remains disappointingly low. Health gains would be greatly increased if these products were made more accessible, affordable and acceptable.
“Sri Lanka is currently missing a proven opportunity to dramatically improve the health of its population. The evidence supports a comprehensive approach that includes harm reduction as a vital component of tobacco control policy.”
The report outlines three key recommendations for maximising health benefits:
Activating health professionals – Physicians and healthcare providers should be equipped to communicate the benefits of tobacco harm reduction (THR) to patients, counter misinformation about nicotine and develop national guidance similar to the Royal College of Physicians’ reports on THR and vaping.
Risk-proportionate regulation – Governments should revise regulations to improve access to less harmful nicotine products while ensuring cigarettes remain more heavily regulated and taxed than reduced-risk alternatives, making it easier for consumers to switch.
Strengthening consumer representation – Independent, science-based consumer advocacy groups should be supported to represent user needs based on sound scientific evidence.
The Sri Lanka analysis is part of broader international research demonstrating that integrating harm reduction into public health strategies, together with improved cessation services and enhanced lung cancer treatment, could save an estimated 14 million lives in the countries studied.