Children of parents who smoke are up to four times more likely to become smokers themselves, Yusuff Adebisi, an epidemiologist, has warned.
Mr Adebisi, Research Lead at the THR Research Hub, gave the warning in a statement on Tuesday to mark the 2026 World Vape Day, themed ‘One Switch – Everyone Wins’.
He said Nigeria still battles right rate harm reduction statistics.
Quoting a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, he said nicotine and tobacco have a single problem, but the evidence tells a different story.
Mr Adebisi said the danger comes from burning tobacco, not from nicotine itself.
He stressed that adult smokers who switch completely to reduced-risk alternatives reduce their exposure to the toxic chemicals that cause smoking-related illnesses.
“Research shows that children of parents who smoke are up to four times more likely to become smokers themselves. A switch to reduced-risk alternatives breaks that cycle,” he said.
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He cited Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK) as the countries that have embraced harm reduction, noting that Sweden reached smoke-free status in 2024, 16 years ahead of the European Union (EU) target, with 41 per cent fewer smoking-related cancers and 44 per cent lower tobacco mortality than the EU average.
He said the UK halved its smoking rate by embedding vaping in its national quit strategy.
“Smoke causes serious health risks. Nicotine itself is not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases. Every day that smokers are denied access to less harmful alternatives is a day the public health community is failing them. One switch saves lives, and the benefits go well beyond the smoker themselves,” he added.
He said the World Vape Day presents an opportunity for Nigeria to reflect on the remarkable achievements made in stressing the urgency for Nigeria to adopt THR strategies while drawing inspiration from Sweden’s successful model.
