Nicotine Science and Policy
By Harry Shapiro July 10, 2026
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”.
July 07, 2026 by gfn.tv
Drugs and Tobacco Harm Reduction: shared challenges, shared solutions | #GFN26
Drug policy and tobacco policy face the same core challenge: reducing harm in the real world, not demanding perfect behaviour. Whether the issue is illicit drugs, smoking or nicotine use, prohibition and stigma often push people further from support and safer choices. Harm reduction offers a shared solution by prioritising evidence, dignity and practical routes to lower risk. Public health should meet people where they are — and help them move towards safer outcomes.
July 06, 2026 by substack.com
New Zealand's Accelerated Decline in Smoking after Embracing E-Cigarettes
New Zealand’s accelerated decline in smoking shows what can happen when safer nicotine alternatives remain accessible. As vaping became more widely available, smoking rates fell faster, suggesting that harm reduction can support progress where traditional tobacco control alone may not be enough. The lesson is clear: adults need realistic routes away from combustible cigarettes. Public health policy should protect that progress, not restrict the tools helping smokers leave smoking behind.
8.60% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 364,000 current smokers in New Zealand.
SOURCE: GSTHR
July 06, 2026 by theguardian.com
Majority of UK smokers wrongly believe vaping is as harmful as cigarettes, experts find
Most UK smokers now wrongly believe vaping is as harmful as, or more harmful than, cigarettes. That misunderstanding matters: if people cannot distinguish between combustible tobacco and lower-risk alternatives, they may be less likely to switch away from smoking. Vaping is not risk-free and should not be promoted to non-smokers, but misrepresenting relative risk protects cigarettes by default. Public health communication should be accurate enough to help smokers make better choices.
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
July 06, 2026 by regulatorwatch.com
Untethered | FDA’s Flavor Policy Defies Reality | RegWatch
The FDA’s flavour policy increasingly appears disconnected from how adult smokers actually switch away from cigarettes. Flavours are not just a youth issue — for many adults, they help make vaping a workable alternative to combustible tobacco. If regulation removes the products people find acceptable, it may weaken harm reduction while leaving cigarettes widely available. Public health policy should reflect real-world behaviour, not assumptions that ignore why switching succeeds.
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
July 03, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu
Nearly half of online pouch customers tried them to quit smoking or vaping, survey finds
Survey findings suggest that many online nicotine pouch customers are using them as part of a move away from smoking or vaping. Nearly half reportedly tried pouches to quit, showing that smoke-free alternatives can play a role in real-world behaviour change. Policy should recognise why adults choose these products rather than assuming all use is the same. Harm reduction works best when regulation reflects consumer motivations, relative risk and practical routes away from more harmful products.
Blogs
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”.
Harry’s Blog 131: Hidden harms
New publications from K•A•C discuss the challenge of smoking in treatment services caring for those who are HIV positive or coping with drug problems.
Smoking rates among those who are HIV positive and those who use drugs (as well as those with mental health problems where there may well be overlap) are anything from two to four times higher than the general adult smoking rates of most developed countries. One study of those receiving opiate substitute treatment recorded a smoking prevalence rate of 85%. Why should this be?
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.