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 01, 2026 by worldvapersalliance.com
Circular lobbying: the Commission pays the NGOs that push its nicotine agenda
Follow the funding trail and the nicotine debate starts to look less independent than it should. EU-backed NGOs campaigning in support of the Commission’s preferred agenda raise questions about circular influence, transparency and who gets treated as a credible voice. That matters because policy on vaping, pouches and other smoke-free products affects millions of adults who smoke. Public health decisions should be open about evidence, interests and funding — especially when they shape access to lower-risk alternatives.
October 01, 2026 by reason.com
The FDA Promises To Streamline the Dauntingly Complex Rules for Approving Nicotine Products
Regulatory complexity has become part of the nicotine problem. A system too slow or difficult to navigate can leave legal smoke-free products waiting while cigarettes remain on shelves and unapproved alternatives fill the gaps. Streamlining FDA approvals would not mean lowering the evidentiary bar; it would mean making science-based decisions in time to matter. Harm reduction needs a pathway that is rigorous, workable and capable of bringing responsible products into the legal market.
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 01, 2026 by substack.com
The mendacity of ASH
Trust is fragile when public health organisations appear to bend evidence around a preferred message. In tobacco policy, that matters because smokers rely on official voices to understand the difference between cigarettes, vaping, pouches and other lower-risk products. Selective claims may win a debate in the short term, but they can weaken confidence in the institutions meant to guide people away from harm. Honest communication should be able to defend tobacco control without distorting harm reduction.
11.80% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 6.7 million current smokers in United Kingdom 13.60% of men are current smokers but only 10.10% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
September 30, 2026 by substack.com
Good news: The proportion of young smokers is declining in Switzerland
A decline in young people smoking should be treated as good news — and as a reason to look carefully at what is changing. Falling smoking rates suggest that newer nicotine patterns do not automatically translate into more cigarette use, which challenges one of the strongest arguments against harm reduction. The priority now should be keeping youth smoking low while ensuring adult smokers are not denied lower-risk routes away from combustion. Policy should follow the trend, not the fear that the trend contradicts.
21.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 1.6 million current smokers in Switzerland.
SOURCE: GSTHR
September 30, 2026 by quitlikesweden.org
Growing evidence supports nicotine pouches as an alternative to smoking
The evidence base for nicotine pouches is becoming harder to dismiss as a niche issue. As smoke-free, non-combustible products, pouches may offer adult smokers another route away from cigarettes, particularly where acceptability and everyday use matter. Their role should be assessed through toxicology, switching behaviour and population-level impact rather than moral discomfort with nicotine. A credible tobacco policy should ask whether these products reduce exposure to the harms of smoking — and regulate them accordingly.
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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”.