Nicotine Science and Policy
By Harry Shapiro April 21, 2026
Harry’s blog 130: Follow the science not the money
For the sake of public health, end virtue signalling about THR funding
I arrived into the world of tobacco harm reduction (THR) from drugs and HIV harm reduction in 2015. I was invited into KAC by two valued colleagues from my previous world who were perfectly up front (and have never hidden the fact) that the funding for the organisation came from the Foundation for a Smoke Free World which in turn was funded by Philip Morris International. And the reason that they were prepared to use this money to further the cause of THR was that no other prospective funders for a harm reduction project were interested. Nobody back in the day was excited by the fact that if you could separate nicotine use from combustion the relative risk was massively reduced and the potential health gains enormous.
May 12, 2026 by statnews.com
No FDA permission, no problem: New flavored vape policy worries experts
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is facing growing scrutiny after introducing new guidance that eases enforcement against some unauthorised vaping and nicotine products currently under review. Critics argue that the policy could allow more flavoured products to remain on the market without formal authorisation, raising concerns about industry influence and political pressure. The shift comes shortly after the FDA authorised fruit-flavoured vape products for the first time in the United States, signalling a significant change in the agency’s regulatory approach. Supporters of the move argue that regulated flavoured alternatives may help adult smokers switch away from cigarettes, particularly when combined with strict age-verification technology. At the same time, public health experts warn that loosening oversight could increase youth appeal and weaken confidence in the FDA’s scientific independence.
The debate reflects broader tensions between harm reduction, political influence and youth protection in shaping future nicotine policy in the United States.
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
May 12, 2026 by marijuanamoment.net
Congressional Committee Directs DEA To Crack Down On Unregulated Cannabis Products That ‘Threaten Consumer Safety’
The House Appropriations Committee is expected to approve a report directing the DEA and FDA to address unregulated cannabinoid products threatening consumer safety. The directive also targets money laundering schemes linked to Chinese-connected illegal marijuana businesses and proposes wastewater surveillance in federal prisons. The report is part of a spending bill covering various agencies and responds to concerns regarding the proliferation of intoxicating cannabinoids. Additionally, the legislation blocks the rescheduling of cannabis and protects state medical cannabis programs. The House is focusing on health risks from cannabis products and research on psychedelics, while a separate bill aids industrial hemp producers. Future legislation may allow military veterans access to medical marijuana recommendations.
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
May 12, 2026 by archive.is
Australia’s tax war on smoking has been a disaster. And we won’t do anything about it | Alexander Downer
Australia’s aggressive tobacco tax policy is facing growing criticism as concerns mount over the expansion of the illicit cigarette market. Former foreign minister Alexander Downer argues that repeated excise increases have pushed legal cigarette prices among the highest in the world, while fuelling demand for cheaper illegal products. According to critics, the strategy has weakened government revenues, strengthened organised crime networks and potentially undermined reductions in smoking rates. At the same time, vaping products—subject to different tax treatment—have become increasingly popular as smokers seek lower-cost alternatives. The debate highlights broader questions about whether excessively high taxation can become counterproductive when consumers shift towards unregulated markets instead of quitting nicotine altogether.
11.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.4 million current smokers in Australia 12.90% of men are current smokers but only 9.30% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
May 12, 2026 by consideratepouchers.org
Considerate Pouchers raises concerns over Portugal’s proposed nicotine pouch regulations
Portugal is preparing to introduce stricter regulations on nicotine pouches, adding to the growing wave of tighter nicotine controls across Europe. Proposed measures would include new restrictions on packaging, sales and product standards, with supporters arguing they are necessary to protect young people and strengthen oversight. Critics, however, warn that excessive regulation could make smoke-free alternatives less accessible to adult smokers seeking lower-risk options. The debate also reflects wider concerns about regulatory fragmentation within the EU, where countries continue to adopt very different approaches to nicotine products. At the centre of the discussion is whether increasingly restrictive policies support public health goals or risk undermining harm reduction efforts.
23.40% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.1 million current smokers in Portugal 30.80% of men are current smokers but only 16.70% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
May 12, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu
Canada’s vape flavour ban stalls as evidence mounts against smoking ‘gateway’ fears
Canada’s proposed ban on vape flavours appears to be losing momentum as growing evidence challenges concerns that vaping acts as a gateway to smoking. Critics argue that restrictions on non-tobacco flavours could produce unintended consequences, including higher cigarette consumption and expansion of illicit markets. Research from Canada and other countries suggests that many adult vapers rely on flavours to remain smoke-free and may return to smoking if those options disappear. At the same time, studies examining flavour bans have raised questions about whether such policies achieve their intended public health outcomes.
The debate reflects broader tensions between youth protection strategies and harm reduction approaches aimed at helping adults move away from combustible cigarettes.
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
Blogs
Harry’s blog 130: Follow the science not the money
For the sake of public health, end virtue signalling about THR funding
I arrived into the world of tobacco harm reduction (THR) from drugs and HIV harm reduction in 2015. I was invited into KAC by two valued colleagues from my previous world who were perfectly up front (and have never hidden the fact) that the funding for the organisation came from the Foundation for a Smoke Free World which in turn was funded by Philip Morris International. And the reason that they were prepared to use this money to further the cause of THR was that no other prospective funders for a harm reduction project were interested. Nobody back in the day was excited by the fact that if you could separate nicotine use from combustion the relative risk was massively reduced and the potential health gains enormous.
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.