Tobacco harm reduction
Explore the evidence and arguments around reducing harm from smoking through changes in products and behaviour. Coverage focuses on comparative risks and the harm-reduction approach, rather than every story about nicotine.
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INVESTIGATION: Who’s behind the anti-nicotine propaganda?
Pharmaceutical companies selling costly treatments for smoking-related diseases also fund organisations campaigning for tighter restrictions on safer nicotine products. Peter examines whether those relationships deserve closer scrutiny.
A European House Divided
While a TPD Revision Compromise Looks Impossible, Brussels is Walking into a Trust and Credibility Crisis
Estonia’s smoking rate falls by more than a quarter as vaping more than triples
Estonia has recorded one of Europe’s clearest recent shifts away from smoking, with current smoking falling by more than a quarter while vaping more than tripled between 2020 and 2024.
8 EU countries call for "market freeze" on all nicotine products
Eight EU countries have called for a “market freeze”, banning all new products containing any form of nicotine or substances “with nicotine like properties” from entering Europe, according to a letter sent to EU Commissioner Oliver Varheyli and published by the Dutch government.
EU Nicotine Consultations: The Value of 120,000 Lived Experiences
More than 120,000 responses were submitted to the EU’s tobacco and nicotine consultations. David Zaruk argues that policymakers should listen to the lived experiences of people who quit smoking and the businesses helping them.
FDA tobacco chief backs wider vape flavour choice if youth access is controlled
Adult smokers could gain access to a wider range of vape flavours if manufacturers can show they effectively prevent underage use, the US Food and Drug Administration’s tobacco chief has said.
Researchers challenge Irish PM’s claim that vapes are ‘nearly worse’ than cigarettes
Researchers have challenged Irish prime minister Micheál Martin’s claim that vapes are “nearly worse” than cigarettes, pointing to evidence that vaping exposes users to fewer harmful substances than smoking.
Children’s anti-vaping event criticised over smoking-damaged lung display
A planned anti-vaping presentation at a children’s Halloween event in the US has drawn criticism over its use of blackened pig lungs previously used to demonstrate smoking damage.
Major review finds nicotine pouches considerably less toxic than cigarettes
Nicotine pouches are considerably less toxic than cigarettes and could offer smokers a less hazardous alternative, a major review has found.
