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 19, 2026 by daily-pouch.com
Latin American Survey Finds Widespread Confusion Among Adolescents About Nicotine Pouch Risks
A survey of nearly 13,000 adolescents across Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru reveals significant misconceptions about nicotine pouch risks. Almost 39% considered pouches more harmful than cigarettes, while only 2.4% reported using them in the previous month.
The findings highlight the need for clearer risk communication alongside effective youth protection. Accurate information should discourage nicotine initiation among adolescents without obscuring the substantial differences in harm between combustible tobacco and smoke-free alternatives.
October 19, 2026 by substack.com
Flaws in Studies of Vaping among Former Smokers
Comparing former smokers who vape with those who no longer use nicotine may produce misleading conclusions about health risks and smoking relapse.
Behavioural scientist Arielle Selya highlights a critical methodological flaw: people who quit smoking through vaping often stopped much more recently than those who quit using other methods. Differences in smoking history and time since quitting can therefore distort research findings.
Accurate assessment of vaping's risks requires better comparison groups and careful consideration of these factors, rather than attributing poorer outcomes to vaping alone.
October 19, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu
Swiss youth smoking falls almost a quarter in two years
Smoking among young people aged 15–24 in Switzerland fell by almost a quarter between 2023 and 2025, while vaping rates remained broadly stable at around 9%.
These findings challenge concerns that the availability of newer nicotine products inevitably leads to increased youth smoking, although they do not establish the causes of the decline. The distinction between combustible tobacco and smoke-free alternatives remains important for understanding nicotine use trends and developing evidence-based harm reduction policies.
21.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 1.6 million current smokers in Switzerland.
SOURCE: GSTHR
October 19, 2026 by regulatorwatch.com
Risk Reversal | Why Americans Now Fear Vaping More Than Smoking | RegWatch
Risk perceptions of vaping in the US have shifted significantly, with 30% of adults now believing e-cigarettes are more harmful than smoking.
Research suggests that public health campaigns and the 2019 EVALI outbreak may have contributed to this misunderstanding. These findings highlight the importance of accurate risk communication, particularly for adult smokers considering lower-risk nicotine alternatives.
14.10% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 39.8 million current smokers in United States 17.10% of men are current smokers but only 11.10% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
October 16, 2026 by dcjournal.com
Counterpoint: A New Generation of the Same Old Mistake
Generational nicotine bans are gaining attention despite declining youth smoking and vaping rates in the United States. Critics argue that extending restrictions into adulthood could encourage illicit trade, limit consumer choice and undermine access to lower-risk nicotine products.
Experiences with tobacco prohibitions in Massachusetts and Bhutan illustrate the potential unintended consequences of restrictive policies. Protecting young people remains essential, but effective regulation should also recognise differences in product risk and preserve opportunities for adults to move away from combustible tobacco.
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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”.