Social workers should be promoting tobacco harm reduction

Social workers play a crucial role in promoting tobacco harm reduction, especially among marginalized communities. The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction emphasizes the significant impact social workers can have on vulnerable populations, such as those with mental health conditions. Equipping social workers with tools to support smoking cessation and harm reduction could be life-saving, as many individuals use smoking as a coping mechanism. Providing advice on alternatives like vapes and heated tobacco products could save lives and benefit both clients and communities. Despite the high smoking rates among vulnerable populations, few countries train social workers in this area, presenting a missed opportunity for public health.