The European Policy Innovation Council (EPIC) report emphasizes that transitioning from traditional cigarettes to alternative nicotine and tobacco products could be the most effective strategy to reduce smoking prevalence in Europe. EPIC researchers highlight that previous restrictive policies have not achieved the desired outcomes, whereas innovations in new technologies offer a more effective means to combat smoking rates across European countries. Positive trends in countries like Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Japan support this approach, where harm reduction strategies focus on making less harmful nicotine and tobacco product alternatives more accessible, thereby reducing the health impact of tobacco products on public health.
Unlike strict prohibition policies that have failed to eliminate smoking, the harm reduction model acknowledges that not all nicotine products pose the same level of risk. By aligning tax and market regulations with the specific harm levels of products, it’s possible to encourage smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives, significantly decreasing smoking-related illnesses. This approach also fosters innovation in developing new, less harmful nicotine and tobacco products. It encourages smokers who cannot or do not wish to quit to transition to less harmful alternatives, thereby substantially reducing health risks associated with traditional cigarettes. The principles of harm reduction are also employed to establish balanced regulations that simultaneously enhance public health and mitigate the growth of the illegal market.
EPIC report available here:
https://thinkepic.eu/publication/the-end-of-smoking-a-pragmatic-path-to-saving-lives-and-boosting-growth/
Read this article in the Diena newspaper:
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/pasaule/eiropa/smekesanas-mazinasanas-politikas-maina–svarigs-ir-process-vai-rezultats-14335625?fbclid=IwY2xjawKj8dtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFFZ2tUNmxXU2ZTY2dUT291AR4FDmqiMxnpIQRVhZsFlRhSPy3KRBV_1Ry0MAlhT5qgK5ZAgfAjQBvqBJCang_aem_sEEUrryZCcNOTe32CmPjsQ
