Nicotine Science and Policy
By Harry Shapiro Aug. 13, 2026
Harry's blog 134: Filtering out lies and misinformation
The only major global journal focused on harm reduction has gone bust. Since 2017, Filter has advocated through journalism for rational and compassionate approaches to drug use, drug policy and human rights, while also standing out for its coverage of tobacco harm reduction. Its closure is a significant loss - particularly at a time when well-funded opponents of tobacco harm reduction continue to thrive.
October 14, 2026 by brusselsmorning.com
EU Nicotine Market Freeze Sparks Innovation Concerns
A nicotine “market freeze” would lock Europe into today’s options instead of allowing better, lower-risk products to emerge. Innovation should not be given a free pass, but it should be assessed through evidence, standards and real-world impact rather than blocked in advance. Freezing the market could leave cigarettes protected while future smoke-free alternatives are kept out. Europe needs regulation that can manage risk without closing the door on progress.
October 14, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu
INVESTIGATION: Who’s behind the anti-nicotine propaganda?
Anti-nicotine campaigns rarely present themselves as propaganda; they present themselves as protection. That is why scrutiny matters. Funding networks, advocacy strategies and institutional alliances can shape which evidence is amplified, which voices are excluded and how safer nicotine products are framed to the public. A serious public health debate should be able to follow the influence behind the message, especially when the result may be fewer options for adults trying to leave cigarettes behind.
October 14, 2026 by substack.com
THR Doesn’t Need Nicotine to Be Innocent
Tobacco harm reduction does not require nicotine to be innocent. It requires honesty about where the greatest harm comes from. Nicotine can cause dependence and should not be promoted casually, but cigarettes are deadly because they burn tobacco and expose users to toxic smoke. The case for safer nicotine products rests on reducing that exposure — not on pretending nicotine has no risks.
October 14, 2026 by planetofthevapes.co.uk
CAPHRA Welcomes Oz Proposal
CAPHRA welcomes an Australian opposition proposal to legalise and regulate adult access to vapes and nicotine pouches without prescriptions, but warns against linking it to an 80% cigarette excise cut. The package includes $200 million for enforcement and is projected to raise $8 billion over four years. Australia’s government rejects the proposal, while public health groups warn cheaper cigarettes could increase smoking. CAPHRA argues regulated alternatives—not cheaper cigarettes—would address illicit markets, citing New Zealand’s declining smoking rates since vaping regulation. It urges Canberra to assess legalisation separately from the contentious cigarette tax debate.
October 13, 2026 by brusselstimes.com
Brussels is funding the voices that tell it what it wants to hear
Brussels’ nicotine debate has a transparency problem when public money funds organisations that then echo the Commission’s preferred line. The article points to a “market freeze” backed by several health ministers that would restrict future nicotine products while cigarettes remain available. That should concern anyone interested in evidence-based regulation. Public health policy needs independent scrutiny, consumer voices and open funding trails — especially when decisions could limit lower-risk alternatives for millions of adults who smoke.
21.70% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.1 million current smokers in Belgium 24.70% of men are current smokers but only 18.90% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
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Blogs
Harry's blog 134: Filtering out lies and misinformation
The only major global journal focused on harm reduction has gone bust. Since 2017, Filter has advocated through journalism for rational and compassionate approaches to drug use, drug policy and human rights, while also standing out for its coverage of tobacco harm reduction. Its closure is a significant loss - particularly at a time when well-funded opponents of tobacco harm reduction continue to thrive.
Harry’s blog 133: Silence is consent
Two tobacco control consultations that demand your attention
I’m sure there are many of you like me who are deeply cynical about public consultations. They often feel like political tick box exercises allowing the issuing authority from local councils to international organisations to say they have ‘consulted with the people’, when in truth they knew exactly what they were going to do from the get-go.
Harry’s Blog 132: “Zyn! Went The Strings Of My Heart” (with apologies to Judy Garland)
FDA approval of 20 nicotine pouch products is another step forward for tobacco harm reduction
The FDA in the U.S. has granted marketing authorisation for Zyn nicotine pouch products (five variations on mint plus five other flavours in two different strengths).
In its letter to PMI (who own Zyn manufacturers Swedish Match), the FDA wrote:
Based on our review of your MRTPAs [Modified Risk Tobacco Applications] we determined that the proposed modified risk tobacco products, …as actually used by consumers would significantly reduce harm and the risk of tobacco-related disease to individual tobacco users and benefit the health of the population as a whole, taking into account both users of tobacco products and persons who do not currently use tobacco products. Therefore, we authorize marketing of the tobacco products as modified risk tobacco products with the following modified risk information – “Using ZYN instead of cigarettes puts you at a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema and chronic bronchitis”.