BY NAFISAT DASOLA JIMOH
Tobacco harm reduction (THR) is a transformative public health opportunity, saving people’s lives by offering safer alternatives to smoking for those who are unable or unwilling to quit nicotine. However, much THR dialogue has overlooked the specific challenges and needs of women – especially in regions of the world where cultural, social and economic barriers most compound the risks associated with smoking.
Women smoke at lower rates than men worldwide, but still suffer over 2 million annual smoking-related deaths. And women who do smoke are disproportionately impacted by health consequences. Beyond the general risks of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness, women face specific threats such as reproductive health complications, cervical and breast cancers, and higher susceptibility to smoking-related heart disease and COPD.
Women’s smoking behaviors are particularly often influenced by stress, societal expectations, and the intersection of gender and socioeconomic status. While men may smoke openly, women’s smoking is frequently hidden in many cultures, making it harder to reach them with public health interventions.
Although the prevalence of smoking among women in Africa, for example, is relatively low, the harms they face are substantial. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 22,000 women die annually from tobacco-related diseases in the region. Additionally, about 64 percent of adult deaths due to second-hand smoke there are among women – a reminder of the indirect toll that is often forgotten.
In many communities, smoking among women is especially stigmatized, limiting their access to cessation and harm reduction resources. Societal norms often portray smoking as a male habit, further alienating women who need support.
These realities underline the need for targeted harm reduction strategies, with tailored messaging and programs that resonate with women’s experiences and circumstances.