Despite ongoing global efforts to discourage smoking and encourage smokers to quit, approximately one billion people worldwide still smoke today. The World Health Organization does not anticipate this number to decrease significantly in the near future.
It is undisputed that the best choice for any smoker is to quit tobacco and nicotine completely. However, the reality is that around 90% of smokers do not quit in any given year. Smoke-free alternatives exist to offer these individuals a better choice than continued smoking.
Countries that include and regulate smoke-free alternatives and harm reduction pillar in their tobacco control strategies can reduce smoking rates faster than those relying solely on traditional measures. Conversely, strict tobacco control policies in some regions prevent many smokers who do not quit from accessing or being informed about better alternatives to cigarettes.
A number of public health authorities agree that the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke are the main cause of smoking-related diseases. Smoke-free products such as nicotine pouches, snus, heated tobacco, and e-cigarettes can produce significantly lower levels of these harmful chemicals, making them considerably less harmful than cigarettes for those who would otherwise continue to smoke.
Society should do more to support the large population of adult smokers by making science-backed smoke-free tobacco and nicotine products available. They should also ensure that they can access information about these alternatives, which could help them make an informed decision. Additionally, it is essential that smokers can access accurate information about these alternatives to make informed decisions.
Tobacco harm reduction can complement traditional tobacco control measures, such as preventing initiation and encouraging cessation, and thereby accelerate the decline in smoking prevalence.
Products that deliver nicotine without smoke can play a crucial role in making the world smoke-free. By making these alternatives accessible and affordable to adult smokers, governments could achieve a smoke-free future more rapidly than through traditional tobacco control methods alone.
