SCOHRE | Smoking Control & Harm Reduction

Joint letter/8 EU countries: the proposed market freeze & broad product bans will hinder the evaluation of lower-risk alternatives for those smoking cigarettes; thus, put people at risk. Evidence-based regulation stays the core of public health policy. #TPD #THR #PublicHealth

SCOHRE welcomes the recent WHO report on nicotine pouches (iris.who.int/items/9f5c2cb1-…) as an important contribution to the ongoing dialogue on nicotine products and public health. The report highlights key considerations, including the rapid growth of the category, concerns around youth uptake, and the need for appropriate regulatory frameworks. These are important aspects that merit careful attention. At the same time, it is vital to evaluate them within the broader context of the global smoking epidemic. As acknowledged in the report, nicotine pouches contain fewer toxicants than combustible cigarettes and may have a role in supporting adult smokers on reducing or quitting smoking. This underscores the importance of considering the totality of evidence—balancing potential harms against the clear public health benefits of reducing smoking-related disease. From a public health perspective, it is essential that regulatory approaches are: - Evidence-based, reflecting the latest scientific data and including the comparative smoking context. - Proportionate and empathetic, providing adult smokers with viable opportunities and alternatives to move away from cigarettes. - Comprehensive, ensuring strong safeguards to prevent access and use by minors. Experience from several countries suggests that well-designed regulatory frameworks can contribute both to accelerating the decline in smoking and to minimizing unintended use. We support continued scientific dialogue and encourage policy development that carefully balances potential risks and benefits, with the aim of improving public health outcomes.

📢 #SCOHRE urges EU & WHO FCTC Parties to put science over ideology ahead of #COP11. The current EU draft risks undermining #PublicHealth by ignoring #HarmReduction evidence. 📰 Full release: scohre.org/news/press-releas… #THR #PublicPolicy #SmokingControl #SmokeFreeWorld