Read articles from Europe

July 15, 2026 by gfn.tv

Snus changed what we know about nicotine, smoke and disease risk. Decades of epidemiological evidence show that removing combustion can dramatically change the health profile of nicotine use — a lesson now highly relevant to nicotine pouches. The question is how carefully that evidence can be applied to newer smoke-free products without ignoring important differences between categories. Better policy starts with understanding what long-term data can tell us, and where new evidence is still needed.

July 15, 2026 by tobaccoreporter.com

Lawmakers and prosecutors in the Philippines are urging stronger efforts to combat the rising illicit tobacco trade due to ineffective seizures. They emphasize the need for convictions to deter criminal networks in the lucrative trade. A recent study estimated a significant tax revenue loss of ₱141 billion ($2.3 billion) over two years. Proposed actions include an Anti-Illicit Trade law to enhance prosecutions, better coordination, and the use of track-and-trace technology. Prosecutors highlight the need for additional evidence in ongoing cases.

July 15, 2026 by weareinnovation.global

New Zealand has successfully reduced smoking rates through innovative tobacco control measures, including regulating access to vaping products. This approach, endorsed by health authorities, led to a rapid decline in smoking rates, especially among indigenous communities and youth. The country's experience shows that harm reduction policies can complement traditional tobacco control efforts and accelerate progress towards a smoke-free future. The success of these measures highlights the importance of evidence-based regulation and a focus on reducing tobacco-related harms, particularly among disadvantaged populations. New Zealand's approach serves as a valuable example of how innovation can drive positive change in public health.

July 15, 2026 by tobaccoharmreduction.net

Tobacco harm reduction could benefit older adults struggling to quit smoking, as they often face deep nicotine dependence. Traditional cessation methods are often ineffective for long-term smokers. Tobacco harm reduction offers diverse alternatives, like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, that better address nicotine dependence. Research shows older smokers may lack knowledge about these alternatives. Encouraging accurate information and exploring harm reduction options can support older adults in making the switch and overcoming barriers to quitting. Involving their community can provide essential support. Embracing harm reduction offers a realistic path forward for older smokers, even after years of tobacco use.

July 15, 2026 by tobaccoharmreduction.net

Tobacco harm reduction could benefit older adults struggling to quit smoking, as they often face deep nicotine dependence. Traditional cessation methods are often ineffective for long-term smokers. Tobacco harm reduction offers diverse alternatives, like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, that better address nicotine dependence. Research shows older smokers may lack knowledge about these alternatives. Encouraging accurate information and exploring harm reduction options can support older adults in making the switch and overcoming barriers to quitting. Involving their community can provide essential support. Embracing harm reduction offers a realistic path forward for older smokers, even after years of tobacco use.

July 15, 2026 by filtermag.org

Remove the products adults actually use to stay off cigarettes, and the outcome may not be the one policymakers expect. Ireland’s proposed restrictions on disposable vapes and flavours risk making vaping less accessible, less appealing and less useful for people trying to quit smoking. Protecting young people matters, but so does avoiding a policy that pushes adults back towards cigarettes or into informal markets. Good regulation should reduce harm in practice, not just look tough on paper.

July 15, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu

A survey by Action on Smoking and Health reveals that 19% of adults attempting to quit vaping used cigarettes, potentially due to misconceptions about the risks. Beliefs about the harm of smoking versus vaping influenced these choices. While vaping has aided 3.3 million former smokers and daily vaping has surpassed smoking in Great Britain, misconceptions persist with 52% of current smokers believing vaping is as harmful as smoking. The UK government is considering further regulations on vaping to prevent youth uptake. Cancer Research UK supports regulations that deter non-smokers while recognizing vaping's harm reduction for smokers. Balancing visibility while highlighting differences between vaping and smoking is crucial to prevent setbacks in smoking cessation efforts.

July 13, 2026 by daily-pouch.com

False claims about smoke-free nicotine products do not make people safer — they can keep people smoking. When adults are told that lower-risk alternatives are just as harmful as cigarettes, confusion replaces informed choice and the incentive to switch weakens. Misinformation protects the product causing the greatest harm: combustible tobacco. Public health needs honesty about risk, not messages that make all nicotine products look the same.

July 13, 2026 by observer.co.uk

Sweden’s success in reducing smoking should be studied, not sidelined. By allowing adults access to smoke-free nicotine alternatives, the country has shown that tobacco control can move faster when policy reflects relative risk. If regulators ignore that lesson, they risk protecting outdated approaches while smokers elsewhere are denied more practical routes away from cigarettes. The goal should be less disease and fewer deaths — not loyalty to one narrow model of quitting.

July 13, 2026 by substack.com

When tobacco policy preserves the status quo, the most harmful product remains protected. Cigarettes stay familiar, available and profitable, while lower-risk alternatives face suspicion, restriction and misinformation. The result is a system that talks about reducing smoking but often makes switching harder in practice. Public health should be willing to challenge the incentives that keep combustion at the centre of the market.