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.
September 18, 2026 by vejpkollen.se
Column: "After the election, I dare to be a little optimistic about smoke-free nicotine”
Cautious optimism on smoke-free nicotine is justified when the debate begins to recognise evidence, consumer behaviour and the difference between use and harm. Sweden’s experience has shown that lower-risk alternatives can contribute to falling smoking rates when they are accessible, acceptable and regulated. The challenge now is to turn that lesson into policy without losing sight of youth protection or product standards. Progress depends on treating smoke-free nicotine as part of the solution, not as a problem to be managed out of sight.
September 17, 2026 by substack.com
Europe Is Protecting Cigarettes from Their Competitors
Europe’s nicotine policy risks protecting cigarettes from competition by making safer alternatives harder to access, afford or communicate clearly. That is a dangerous inversion of public health priorities: the most harmful product remains familiar while lower-risk options face suspicion and restriction. Adult smokers need a market where moving away from combustion is easier than staying with it. Regulation should challenge cigarettes, not shield them from the products that could make them less dominant.
19.30% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 13.9 million current smokers in Germany 22.10% of men are current smokers but only 16.50% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
September 16, 2026 by worldvapersalliance.com
The European Parliament Is Drifting Toward Evidence on Nicotine
The European Parliament’s nicotine debate appears to be moving closer to the evidence. That matters because policy built on fear alone cannot explain why cigarettes, vapes, pouches and heated tobacco should not be treated as the same public health problem. A risk-based approach would still protect young people and regulate products responsibly, but it would also recognise the role safer alternatives can play for adults who smoke. Europe has a chance to make nicotine policy more scientific, more proportionate and more useful.
30.30% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 1.0 million current smokers in Croatia.
SOURCE: GSTHR
September 16, 2026 by github.io
Taiwan: You Are Welcomed to Smoke, You Are Punished for Vaping
Taiwan’s nicotine policy draws a stark line in the wrong place: cigarettes remain legal while vapes are banned. That leaves adult smokers with fewer lower-risk options and keeps combustible tobacco as the most familiar legal choice. A health-focused framework should distinguish between products that burn tobacco and products that can reduce exposure by removing combustion. Public health policy should make the safer route easier to take, not harder to reach.
September 16, 2026 by manilatimes.net
UPDATE - CAPHRA announces the Asia-Pacific Declaration call for Safer Nicotine Access
The Asia-Pacific Declaration puts access at the centre of tobacco harm reduction. Safer nicotine products cannot reduce smoking-related harm while they remain unavailable, unaffordable or pushed outside legal markets. The region needs regulation that reflects real consumer behaviour, local smoking burdens and the difference between combustible and non-combustible products. Public health progress depends on giving adults practical routes away from cigarettes, not limiting the conversation to abstinence alone.
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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”.