Stories

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, calls are growing for tobacco and nicotine policies to be guided more consistently by scientific evidence and harm reduction principles. Advocacy groups across the Asia-Pacific region argue that regulation should better distinguish between combustible cigarettes and lower-risk smoke-free alternatives. They contend that policies failing to recognise relative risk may discourage smokers from switching to less harmful products. At the same time, supporters of a science-based approach emphasise the importance of combining youth protection with realistic strategies for reducing smoking-related disease. The debate reflects broader global tensions over how public health policy should respond to evolving nicotine technologies and emerging evidence.

Most smokers in South Africa appear to support a more risk-based approach to nicotine regulation, according to new survey findings. Research suggests that a large majority favour policies that distinguish between combustible cigarettes and lower-risk smoke-free alternatives. At the same time, the data highlights significant gaps in public awareness, with many smokers unfamiliar with products such as nicotine pouches and other reduced-risk options. Affordability, accessibility and clear information on relative risks were identified as key factors influencing whether smokers would consider switching away from cigarettes. Many respondents also expressed concern that overly restrictive regulation could encourage growth in illicit markets rather than reduce nicotine use. The findings contribute to wider debates over whether tobacco policy should focus more heavily on harm reduction and differentiated regulation based on relative risk.

Vapes are now legal in Argentina for the first time in more than a decade following a major shift in national nicotine policy. The government has replaced its long-standing prohibition with a regulated framework covering vapes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches. New rules introduce mandatory registration, ingredient disclosure and traceability requirements, while aiming to bring a previously informal market under official oversight. Supporters argue that regulation offers greater consumer protection and better control than outright bans, which had failed to eliminate demand. At the same time, critics note that the new framework still includes strict limitations, including restrictions on flavourings and disposable products.

Resistance to flavoured nicotine products appears to have played a central role in the resignation of former U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner Marty Makary. Reports suggest that growing tensions within the Trump administration intensified after Makary opposed or delayed approval of certain flavoured vaping products. The dispute reflected wider divisions over how vaping should be regulated, particularly around balancing youth protection with harm reduction for adult smokers. Critics of Makary argued that excessive caution was limiting access to regulated alternatives that could help reduce cigarette use. Supporters, however, maintained that concerns over youth appeal and long-term health effects justified stricter oversight of flavoured products. The controversy highlights the increasingly political nature of nicotine regulation in the United States, where scientific, commercial and ideological pressures continue to collide.

Psilocybin, a compound in "magic mushrooms," shows promise in treating substance use disorders, with a recent study finding it more effective in smoking cessation than nicotine patches when combined with therapy. The study had limitations in participant diversity, excluding those with certain mental health conditions. Researchers suggest further exploring psychedelics for addiction treatment, emphasizing the need for inclusive trials. The six-month follow-up showed a higher abstinence rate in the psilocybin group. Future research should include diverse populations for better representation. The study's use of nicotine patches raised questions due to their low efficacy compared to newer options like vapes, urging for more relevant comparators in future studies.

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.

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.

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.