Briefing Papers
Dead ends - the tobacco industry's quest for a ‘safe’ combustible cigarette
Tobacco companies spent decades denying any link between smoking and disease, while also trying to develop a ‘safe’ cigarette. This Briefing Paper sets out to tell the story of this quest, looking at the roles played both by those within and outside of the tobacco industry.
Safer nicotine product taxation and optimal strategies for public health
This Briefing Paper examines the current global situation regarding the taxation of safer nicotine products and how this relates to product accessibility, before offering evidence-based policy recommendations for optimal taxation strategies in support of harm reduction goals and public health.
How snus is replacing smoking in Norway: a revolution led by consumers and product innovation
While Sweden recently became the first smokefree country, its neighbour, Norway, is also experiencing plummeting smoking rates. This Briefing Paper explores why so many Norwegians have switched from deadly cigarettes to much safer snus.
Pro-consumer laws and an endorsement for vaping: why smoking is disappearing in Aotearoa New Zealand
This Briefing Paper tells the story of Aotearoa New Zealand's rapid and growing embrace of vaping, providing another important case study showcasing the potential of tobacco harm reduction to help bring down smoking rates.
A smokefree UK? How research, policy and vapes have cut smoking rates
The number of people who vape in the United Kingdom is soon set to exceed the number who smoke for the first time. This Briefing Paper explores the United Kingdom’s progress towards becoming smokefree, highlighting both the successes and the challenges.
Smoking and vulnerable populations: supporting smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction in social work
Social workers build relationships with individuals who are often from marginalised or vulnerable communities where smoking rates are disproportionately high. This Briefing Paper calls for tobacco harm reduction to become more integrated into their work to reduce the harms from smoking.
Cigarette sales halved: heated tobacco products and the Japanese experience
In the ten years following the introduction of heated tobacco products to Japan, sales of cigarettes have fallen by 52% in Japan. This Briefing Paper explores some of the factors that have helped bring about this startling decline alongside the rapid growth of heated tobacco products.
Tobacco harm reduction and people experiencing homelessness – a UK perspective
With such high smoking rates among people who experience homelessness or rough sleeping in the UK, this Briefing Paper looks at the potential for tobacco harm reduction to help reduce the health inequalities seen in this vulnerable population.
Tobacco harm reduction consumer advocacy organisations
Tobacco harm reduction consumer advocacy organisations play a vital role in maintaining access to safer nicotine products around the world. Here we explore the development, role and importance of these grassroots groups.
The FCTC COP10 Agenda and supporting documents: implications for the future of tobacco harm reduction
Our latest Briefing Paper looks ahead to the upcoming COP10 meeting in Panama and assesses what the Agenda could mean for the future availability of the safer nicotine products that underpin tobacco harm reduction.
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the Conference of the Parties (COP): an explainer (updated April 2023)
With the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) taking place in November 2023, here's our updated guide to explain how the meeting works. Scroll down to access this document in multiple languages.
What are nicotine pouches?
Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Here we provide an introduction to the tobacco harm reduction potential of this category.
The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2022: The Right Side of History
This Briefing Paper summarises The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2022: The Right Side of History, which charts the history of tobacco harm reduction to date, and considers the future for a strategy that could end smoking.
What is snus?
Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes, but what is it and why is it considered a safer nicotine product? This Briefing Paper aims to provide the answers.
Tobacco harm reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa
With the number of tobacco users across the continent set to rise by 2025, we look at the current state of tobacco harm reduction in the region, assessing the progress made so far and the obstacles preventing greater adoption of safer nicotine products.