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Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
"TNFS": A Saudi-Led Initiative Sets Regional Benchmark in Tobacco Harm Reduction
On World No Tobacco Day RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the world marks World No Tobacco Day on May 31, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms its deep-rooted commitment to public health through the TNFS initiative — an inaugural platform developed in partnership with national and strategic stakeholders to reduce tobacco-related harm by advancing evidence-based dialogue, responsible innovation, and smart regulation. The initiative was founded through a strategic collaboration between Badael (a Public Investment Fund company), the Quality-of-Life Program (a Vision 2030 initiative), and Smart Health, which serves as the initiative's scientific partner. Over the past year, tangible results have begun to emerge in the Kingdom: Data from the General Authority for Statistics shows smoking prevalence in Saudi Arabia declined from 17.5% to 12.4% in just 12 months — one of the world's fastest drops. Badael's efforts have helped approximately 500,000 adults transition away from smoking through access to lower-risk alternatives. Coordinated awareness campaigns and regulatory realignment have laid the groundwork for more sustainable, prevention-focused approaches. On May 29, the TNFS initiative hosted the "TNFS 2025 Summit" in Riyadh, bringing together more than 100 experts from 15 countries. The summit focused on regional challenges and scientific solutions for reducing tobacco-related harm, concluding with several key recommendations, including: Developing legislative frameworks to support alternative products Strengthening research collaboration across the region Referencing successful models from Sweden and the United Kingdom to inform locally tailored solutions. Looking ahead, TNFS will begin translating the summit's recommendations into actionable programs, in close collaboration with health and regulatory authorities. According to Tolga Sezer, CEO of Badael, upcoming plans include public awareness campaigns, research initiatives, and efforts to strengthen legislative frameworks that support low-risk tobacco alternatives. The summit featured numerous international endorsements affirming that the Kingdom is on the right path, including: • Dr. Christopher Russell (United Kingdom): "The Kingdom is leading a global transformation in understanding and addressing tobacco harm." Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos (Greece): "What has been achieved in just one year through TNFS represents a model ready for export." Dr. Mohammad Yaman, a public health expert, called for TNFS to become a regional reference point. Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Qudhib emphasized the importance of replicating the Saudi model in countries with high smoking rates, such as Jordan and Lebanon. TNFS is positioned by its strategic partners as a comprehensive reform platform — designed to engage communities, decision-makers, and the health sector in building a sustainable public health environment aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. "Health is not a choice but a foundation for a dignified life and a productive society." said Salman Al-Khataf, Advisor to the CEO of the Quality-of-Life Program, affirming that that success in tobacco harm reduction depends on connecting scientific evidence with practical, applicable policies, a core aim of the TNFS partnership. Dr. Sara Al-Rashoud, Research Advisor at Smart Health, emphasized that the TNFS initiative reflects a shared commitment across sectors to reducing smoking and achieving a smoke-free Saudi Arabia. As World No Tobacco Day amplifies the global call for accountability, TNFS stands as a practical framework: one built on data, shaped by partnerships, and grounded in local realities. The initiative will translate summit outcomes into collaborative action, from legislative refinement to educational outreach and continued investment in public health. Photo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE TNFS Erreur lors de la récupération des données Connectez-vous pour accéder à votre portefeuille Erreur lors de la récupération des données Erreur lors de la récupération des données Erreur lors de la récupération des données Erreur lors de la récupération des données
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Health
- Mid East Info
Saudi Arabia's efforts to Combat Smoking Captures International Attention at TNFS Summit 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
Official data from the General Authority for Statistics showed that the adult smoking rate in Saudi Arabia dropped from 17.5% to 12.4% within one year. Leading scientist predicted that the global end of smoking could be achieved within the next 40 years. Riyadh –May 2025: The TNFS Summit 2025 concluded today in Riyadh with the adoption of an ambitious vision for a future free from tobacco-related harm — one rooted in innovation, prevention, and regulatory integration. The summit served as a regional platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange around effective harm reduction policies and the encouragement of safer alternatives. The summit was organized under the TNFS initiative, a strategic partnership between Badael (a Public Investment Fund company), the Quality of Life Program (a Vision 2030 program), and Smart Health as the summit's scientific partner. The event brought together more than 100 experts and decision-makers from within the Kingdom and abroad, representing health organizations, regulatory authorities, and leading academic institutions. Summit sessions reviewed global models for tobacco control, including experiences from Sweden and the United Kingdom. Core themes aligned with Saudi Arabia's national strategy included: Correcting public misconceptions about nicotine and its role as a lower-risk alternative to tobacco, as part of the solution, not the problem. Evaluating the impact of taxation as an effective tool to reduce tobacco consumption. Showcasing scientific innovations in reduced-risk alternative products. Official data from the General Authority for Statistics showed that the adult smoking rate in Saudi Arabia dropped from 17.5% to 12.4% within one year. This decline is attributed to the implementation of comprehensive regulatory policies, tax increases, and the availability of lower-risk alternatives. Participants emphasized that TNFS is a true transformation platform, one that moves beyond awareness toward real impact on policy and societal behavior – reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a regional model to follow. Organizers announced that the summit would serve as the first in a series of specialized events in this field. During the summit, Tolga Sezer, CEO of Badael, stated: 'Harm reduction is the gateway to a smoke-free future—and Saudi Arabia stands at the forefront of this global movement. The TNFS Summit marks a bold national step forward, underscoring the Kingdom's pioneering role in advancing tobacco control through science, innovation, and progressive legislation.' Salman Al-Khattaf, Advisor to the CEO of the Quality of Life Program, added: 'Health is not a choice but a foundation for a dignified life and a productive society. TNFS supports community health and promotes positive lifestyle choices in line with the Kingdom's goals and bold vision.' He emphasized that success in tobacco harm reduction depends on connecting scientific evidence with practical, applicable policies, a core aim of the TNFS partnership. Dr. Sara Al-Rashoud, Research Advisor at Smart Health, noted that the TNFS initiative reflects a shared commitment across sectors to reducing smoking and achieving a smoke-free Saudi Arabia, especially with nearly 4.8 million adult smokers currently in the Kingdom. Dr. Christopher Russell, a UK-based behavioral scientist specializing in tobacco and nicotine use, estimated that smoking causes approximately 14,200 premature deaths annually in Saudi Arabia. He also predicted that the global end of smoking could be achieved within the next 40 years. Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos shared successful international harm reduction models, highlighting Sweden's achievement in reducing smoking rates from 15% to 5% over 15 years. This shift contributed to a 41% drop in cancer incidence and a 39.6% decrease in tobacco-related deaths. He called these outcomes a strategic opportunity for the region. In the session titled 'Tobacco Harm Reduction in the Middle East,' Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Qudhib, a Saudi family physician specializing in noncommunicable diseases and tobacco harm reduction, warned about persistently high smoking rates in countries such as Jordan and Lebanon. Public health expert Dr. Mohammad Yaman noted that 85% of smokers relapse within months, according to Mayo Clinic studies. He therefore considered the TNFS initiative an important step toward reducing smoking, calling for the model to be expanded and for greater regional collaboration. In closing, participants affirmed that the TNFS Summit 2025 marks a pivotal step in the Kingdom's journey toward a society free from tobacco-related harm. It represents the convergence of political will and scientific knowledge, and strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a leading model in adopting harm reduction policies and advancing quality of life.
Saudi Gazette
15-04-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Supply. Supply. Supply: How Badael plans to meet record demand for DZRT
By Anas Alyusuf RIYADH — Badael, a Saudi-based smoking cessation company established by the Public Investment Fund in 2023, is scaling up its production and retail presence to meet the growing demand for its flagship product, DZRT — a tobacco-free nicotine pouch aimed at helping smokers quit. In less than two years, the company has enabled nearly 400,000 smokers to transition away from cigarettes, with 140,000 of them reportedly exiting nicotine use altogether. Badael now expects to reach its original goal of helping one million smokers quit — initially set for 2032 — by as early as 2026. 'We're already seeing results: 140,000 of those who switched to DZRT have now exited the nicotine category entirely,' said Tolga Sezer, CEO of Badael, in an interview with Saudi Gazette. 'Our goal is clear: to reduce smoking prevalence, support economic diversification, create local jobs, and reduce healthcare costs caused by smoking-related preventable diseases.' According to Sezer, Badael's focus remains squarely on impact rather than profit. 'We don't have commercial motives. Our primary focus is to help people move away from smoking — and eventually from nicotine dependency altogether.' DZRT is not classified as a medical product and is available without a prescription, making it accessible to a broader segment of smokers. The pouch delivers nicotine without tobacco or combustion and is designed to offer a discreet and convenient alternative to smoking. 'It satisfies nicotine cravings, discreet enough to use anywhere, and at the same time doesn't contain tobacco nor produce smoke,' Sezer said. With demand far outpacing initial projections, Badael is expanding its manufacturing capabilities at its Jeddah facilities. The company is targeting production of more than 100 million cans this year, up from an early target of 1.5 million. Additional production lines are expected to go live mid-year and again by the end of 2025. Retail access is also being ramped up. Although 60 percent of DZRT sales currently take place online, the company plans to expand its retail network to 6,000 outlets across 13 major cities by year-end. Localization is another key element of Badael's strategy. The company sources most of its ingredients, products, and packaging from within the Kingdom, and has introduced Saudi-inspired flavors tailored to local preferences. 'This reinforces the company's commitment to the Kingdom and Vision 2030 economic goals,' said Sezer. Despite its commercial scale, Badael insists its efforts remain firmly rooted in smoking cessation. 'We never target non-smokers. Everything we do, from marketing communication to on-the-ground activation, is under the banner of smoking cessation,' Sezer said. Badael is also eyeing expansion beyond Saudi Arabia, with plans to enter GCC and MENA markets before eventually targeting Europe. 'Our mission is not just to help Saudi smokers — we aim to expand into the GCC, key MENA markets, and eventually Europe. We want to be a major global player in healthcare — harm reduction,' he said. Looking ahead, Badael is developing additional reduced-harm nicotine delivery systems aimed at supporting smokers through their quitting journey. 'We will introduce various products — all with the same purpose: helping people move away from smoking addiction,' Sezer added. For Badael, success is measured in lives changed, not sales figures. 'We take people away from smoking — they stay with us for a period, and then they exit. And we are happy with that,' said Sezer.
