Risk-proportionate nicotine regulation pushed by global health experts
Global health experts advocate for risk-proportionate nicotine regulation, arguing current policies are insufficient for the world's smokers.Summary
Global scientists and public health experts are calling for governments to adopt risk-proportionate regulation of nicotine products, asserting that existing tobacco control policies are inadequate to address the needs of over a billion smokers worldwide. This call is supported by new scientific and economic findings presented at international conferences on tobacco harm reduction, which explored strategies to accelerate smoking cessation. Research, including the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction report, suggests that a transition to less harmful alternatives could significantly reduce smoking-related mortality, potentially halving smoking-attributable deaths by 2060 if 20% of smokers switch to low-risk products within the next 10-15 years. Experts emphasize the need to “reset” global tobacco policies to prioritize innovation and encourage alternatives like e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products. Studies, such as a Cochrane review, indicate that e-cigarettes are more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies for quitting, and Public Health England estimates vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking. Economic analyses, like one conducted in the Philippines, suggest substantial cost savings – potentially $3.4 billion annually – if smokers switch to non-combustible alternatives.
(Source：SunStar Publishing Inc.)
