Nicotine Science and Policy

Illicit tobacco use has risen sharply among two disadvantaged populations in Australia, with a new study identifying price as the main motivation. Illegal cigarettes were reportedly selling for a fraction of the legal retail price, creating strong financial incentives to purchase outside regulated channels.

Despite these findings, the proposed policy response continues to emphasise enforcement and supply restrictions. The analysis raises questions about the limits of high tobacco taxation, particularly among financially vulnerable smokers.

Reducing smoking-related harm requires addressing affordability, consumer behaviour and access to effective cessation support, including lower-risk nicotine alternatives, rather than relying on enforcement alone.

A new randomised controlled trial involving 1,170 adults has found that e-cigarettes can help smokers quit even without specialist behavioural support.

Published in NEJM Evidence, the study found that 11.3% of participants receiving e-cigarettes alone stopped smoking for six months, compared with 6.4% receiving automated NHS cessation messages. Adding telephone counselling increased the quit rate to 21.1%.

The findings reinforce the role of vaping as an effective smoking cessation tool, while highlighting the additional benefits of behavioural support. Making both options accessible could help more adults move away from combustible tobacco.

The scale of Britain's illicit cigarette market is under renewed scrutiny, with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) challenging industry-funded estimates that suggest 45% of cigarettes consumed are illegal, compared with HMRC's estimate of 12%.

ASH argues that illicit cigarette consumption has declined substantially despite rising tobacco taxes, while critics question the reliability of official figures.

The disagreement highlights the importance of transparent, independent data in tobacco policy. Effective regulation must address illicit trade while supporting smoking cessation and ensuring that adults retain access to regulated, lower-risk nicotine alternatives.

Arizona's adult smoking rate has fallen to a historic low of 7.7%, while vaping now exceeds smoking among adults for the first time. At the same time, youth vaping has declined substantially over the past decade, according to newly released survey data.

These trends suggest that declining youth nicotine use and greater adoption of smoke-free alternatives among adults can occur simultaneously, although they do not establish a causal relationship.

As Arizona considers further nicotine regulations, the findings highlight the importance of protecting young people while recognising the potential role of vaping in helping adults move away from combustible cigarettes.

Scientific research on smoke-free nicotine products continues to advance, even in countries where these products face restrictions or outright bans.

Singapore, Thailand and Australia continue to examine consumer behaviour and regulatory outcomes, while research from Japan and the United States is contributing to a better understanding of toxicant exposure and potential health effects.

For Vietnam, these international experiences highlight the importance of ongoing scientific evaluation. Distinguishing between nicotine products, assessing relative risks and monitoring real-world outcomes can support more informed tobacco control policies without overlooking the uncertainties surrounding long-term health effects.