Nicotine Dose Is Not a Proxy for Risk, But We Keep Hearing That It Is
October 23, 2026 by substack.com
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Nicotine Dose Is Not a Proxy for Risk, But We Keep Hearing That It Is
Two recently published scientific papers have raised concerns about how nicotine dependence and smoking-related health risks are presented in medical research.
Cliff Douglas highlights a recurring problem: nicotine concentration is often treated as an indicator of harm, despite substantial differences in toxic exposure between cigarettes and smoke-free products.
The distinction is particularly important for smoking cessation, as effective nicotine delivery can help adults replace cigarettes without continued exposure to combustion. Greater scientific precision is essential to understanding relative risk and supporting evidence-based tobacco harm reduction.
