Nicotine Science and Policy
By Harry Shapiro Sept. 11, 2025
Harry’s blog 129: Prohibition: the lessons we never learn
Australia’s unnecessary nicotine war lights up,
As reported on the website of ALIVE, the Australian vaping advocacy movement, “Australia's ongoing battle against tobacco has led to some of the strictest regulations in the world, particularly concerning vaping and cigarette pricing. While the government has framed these policies as necessary for public health, the unintended consequences have sparked a growing crisis.”
March 11, 2026 by jamanetwork.com
Psilocybin or Nicotine Patch for Smoking Cessation - A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
What tobacco smoking cessation rates does psilocybin, an experimental treatment, yield compared with nicotine patch, an established treatment, with individuals in both groups receiving standardized cognitive behavioral therapy? In a randomized clinical trial, 42 participants randomized to receive psilocybin had more than 6 times greater odds of prolonged smoking abstinence 6 months after treatment than 40 participants who received the nicotine patch. The results suggest that psilocybin holds potential in the treatment of tobacco use disorder and, along with other psychedelics, should be investigated further for tobacco and other substance use disorders.
March 11, 2026 by imf.org
Taxing Harmful Habits
Excise taxes on unhealthy products like alcohol, tobacco, and sugar aim to delay health issues, generate revenue, and promote healthier behavior, especially in low-income countries. These taxes face challenges due to emerging products like e-cigarettes, requiring policymakers to adapt taxation strategies. Harm-based taxation, reflecting health risks, encourages the consumption of less harmful alternatives. This approach has shown success in reducing smoking rates in countries like New Zealand. However, tax misalignments in some regions sustain consumption of dangerous products. International cooperation is crucial to prevent tax evasion and ensure consistent health-based taxation. Aligning tax rates with harm levels can enhance public health and fiscal stability globally.
March 10, 2026 by cspdailynews.com
States weigh tobacco and nicotine tax hikes
States are considering excise tax increases on tobacco products to generate revenue, with a focus on new products like nicotine pouches. Lawmakers in 20 states are proposing higher taxes on cigarettes and vaping products to address budget shortfalls. Critics argue that such taxes can lead to illegal tobacco sales and economic distortions. Data shows a decline in youth tobacco and nicotine usage, supporting the argument against new taxes. The regressive nature of excise taxes is highlighted, with lower-income individuals affected more. As states continue to deliberate on tax hikes, there are concerns about the impact on retailers and the availability of FDA-approved alternatives for adult consumers.
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
March 10, 2026 by yahoo.com
'Free the Zyn': Why nicotine pouches are all the buzz on Canada's right
Conservative MP Jivani promoted the unapproved nicotine product Zyn on a campus tour, with attendees flaunting their canisters at a Vancouver event. B.C. MLA Bhangu endorsed Zyn to curb smoking, while politicians like Smith and Nally advocate for easier access to nicotine pouches. These pouches, marketed as safer alternatives, deliver nicotine through the gums and are popular among young adults. However, their health impacts remain uncertain, with limited research on long-term effects and effectiveness in quitting smoking. Health Canada restricts sales of Zonnic, leading to criticism from conservatives who view it as excessive regulation. Despite calls for relaxed rules, Health Canada defends its measures to deter youth usage.
January 23, 2026 by junonews.com
Health Canada admits half of those who quit smoking used nicotine replacements
Even though new data show that alternatives such as vaping are helping thousands of Canadians stop …
10.60% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 3.5 million current smokers in Canada 13.10% of men are current smokers but only 8.10% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
March 10, 2026 by medscape.com
Women at Higher Risk for Smoking Relapse Than Men
Women are equally willing to quit smoking as men but face unique challenges. Research shows women struggle more to quit due to social, behavioral, and biological factors. They are influenced by tobacco marketing, use smoking to manage stress and body weight, and experience stronger urges during hormonal fluctuations. Women metabolize nicotine faster, impacting treatment effectiveness. Tailored cessation strategies, considering hormonal cycles, dosage adjustments, and alternative therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, are crucial. Gender-specific approaches are needed to address smoking disparities and improve cessation success rates for women. Social, environmental, and biological factors must be considered in comprehensive smoking cessation care.
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Blogs
Harry’s blog 129: Prohibition: the lessons we never learn
Australia’s unnecessary nicotine war lights up,
As reported on the website of ALIVE, the Australian vaping advocacy movement, “Australia's ongoing battle against tobacco has led to some of the strictest regulations in the world, particularly concerning vaping and cigarette pricing. While the government has framed these policies as necessary for public health, the unintended consequences have sparked a growing crisis.”
Harry’s blog 128: Behind the smoke and mirrors: the continuing challenge of tobacco harm reduction.
“If you assume that there is no hope, you guarantee there will be no hope”. Noam Chomsky
I recently returned from the 12th annual Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN) conference in Warsaw. My first visit was 2015 when I had just entered the tobacco harm reduction (THR) space after over thirty years spent with UK NGOs advocating for drug and HIV harm reduction – a space I still inhabit.