Category: Harm Reduction

Tobacco Control Urged to Embrace Harm Reduction

Graph: KAC
A new report published by the U.K. public health agency Knowledge Action Change (KAC) demonstrates an urgent need to scale up tobacco harm reduction, which enables smokers to switch to safer nicotine products, eliminating the smoke that causes death and disease.
Titled “Burning Issues: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR),” the report reveals that an estimated 98 million people use these products globally, including 68 million vapers, 20 million users of heated tobacco products and 10 million consumers of U.S. smokeless or pasteurized oral snus.
While showing huge demand for safer alternatives, these numbers are dwarfed by the global total of 1.1 billion smokers—a figure that has remained static for two decades despite billions spent on tobacco control. Eight million people die due to smoking-related disease every year.
During the report’s online launch, co-hosted with Lilongwe-based NGO THR Malawi on Nov. 4, the report authors showed that both access to and adoption of safer nicotine products largely remains the preserve of higher income countries, while 80 percent of the world’s smokers live in low- and middle-income countries poorly equipped to implement tobacco control or treat smoking-related disease.
The report further shows how tobacco control policy at the World Health Organization is being influenced by billions of dollars from U.S. foundations campaigning against tobacco harm reduction, while misinformation is discouraging smokers from switching to safer products.
KAC Director Gerry Stimson believes the world’s 1.1 billion smokers deserve better. “Integrated into tobacco control, harm reduction could be a gamechanger in the battle against noncommunicable disease,” he said in a statement. “Global tobacco control policymakers must listen to consumers and deliver policies that genuinely focus on reducing smoking-related deaths by all available means.”
Professor David Nutt argued that to reject the opportunity of tobacco harm reduction “is perhaps the worst example of scientific denial since the Catholic Church banned the works of Copernicus in 1616.”
November 9, 2020
BAT: Switching to Glo Reduces Exposure
Smokers who switched completely from smoking cigarettes to using British American Tobacco’s (BAT) Glo tobacco-heating product (THP) substantially reduced their exposure to certain cigarette smoke toxicants over three months, according to a company study published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research.

For many of the toxicants measured, the levels found in participants were similar to those in people who stopped using tobacco completely.

BAT scientists are conducting a year-long controlled study to see what impact switching from cigarettes to Glo will have on general health as well as smoke-toxicant exposure.

According to BAT, the study’s results find that smokers who switch from cigarettes to Glo exclusively significantly reduce the levels of harmful toxicants they are exposed to, potentially reducing their risk of developing smoking-related diseases.

“These initial results regarding Glo are extremely encouraging,” James Murphy, group head of potentially reduced-risk product science at BAT, said in a statement. “Glo provides smokers who wish to continue using tobacco and nicotine products with a potentially reduced-risk alternative to cigarettes. The results are another positive step for BAT as we continue our journey to reduce the health impact of our business by offering consumers a range of enjoyable and potentially reduced-risk products.”

November 5, 2020
‘State of Tobacco Harm Reduction’ Released

Image: Knowledge-Action-Change
Knowledge-Action-Change has launched a new report documenting the advances and significant challenges facing tobacco harm reduction in 2020.
Titled, “Burning Issues: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2020,” the report is the second in a biennial series from the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), a project established to map the development of tobacco harm reduction and use, availability and regulatory responses to safer nicotine products around the world.
Harry Shapiro
Written by Harry Shapiro, “Burning Issues” addresses both progress and achievements in the field since the first edition was published in 2018 but also identifies the major obstacles preventing tobacco harm reduction from fulfilling its public health potential worldwide.
Launching in tandem with the report is GSTHR’s major live data mapping project, which documents regulatory responses with live updates to more than 200 regional and country profiles. The free-to-access resource shows that with the support of global tobacco control, 36 countries have banned vapor devices/e cigarettes, 39 have banned ban snus and 13 countries have banned heated tobacco products.
By contrast, just one country (Bhutan) has enacted a ban on the sale of combustible tobacco, which has been temporarily lifted due to Covid-19.
November 5, 2020
Advocates Welcome Study on Vapor’s Cessation Credentials

Photo: Sergey Shibut – Dreamstime.com
The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has welcomed new research that has found that vaping is 70 percent more effective in helping smokers to quit cigarettes than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches and gum.
The study undertaken by Cochrane, which reviewed 50 studies across the world, with more than 12,000 participants, also showed that an additional 60 percent could potentially quit smoking with nicotine containing electronic cigarettes. In addition, the review found that “there was no evidence that people using nicotine containing e-cigarettes reported more serious health problems than people using nicotine-free e-cigarettes, NRT or no therapy at all.”
John Dunne
John Dunne, director general at the UKVIA, said the findings add to a growing catalogue of evidence supporting vaping’s role in smoking cessation.
“Quitting cigarettes can be difficult, which is why adult smokers must have access to the most effective tools available,” he said. “This review underlines the enormous potential vaping holds for public health, particularly as the government aims for a smoke-free U.K. by the end of the decade. We call on all stakeholders, from policymakers to health professionals, to seize the opportunity which vaping represents, and to give smokers the best chance of quitting successfully.”
According to Dunne, the recent review builds on research by the National Institute of Health Research and Cancer Research UK, which shows that vaping was far more effective than nicotine replacement therapy products.
October 16, 2020
Nicotine Users Surveyed Ahead of TPD Revision

Photo: mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
In the run up to the revision of the European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), scheduled for 2021, the European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (ETHRA) have launched a major survey to examine nicotine use in Europe.
Among other questions, the poll asks adult consumers about their views on possible regulatory changes. How would users react to increased taxes, flavor bans or to the legalization of snus? Is there a need for greater access to product information? Would lifting the container restriction on e-liquids have any impact? What is missing for people who want to quit smoking?
Available in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish, the questionnaire will be open until Dec. 31, 2020.
In addition to evaluating the TPD, the European Commission is preparing proposals to amend its Tobacco Excise Directive to harmonize definitions and tax treatment of new products, including vapor, in 2021.
The European Parliament will debate the proposed TPD changes in May 2021.
The ETHRA offers tobacco harm reduction advocates in Europe a platform for exchanging information and sharing experiences.
October 14, 2020
Snap-on Filter Removes 97% of Secondhand Vapor

Philter Labs launched its Phreedom filtration device that allows users to inhale and exhale into the same mouthpiece, eliminating up to 97 percent of secondhand vapor and smell.
The filter is designed to work with 80 percent of the existing cartridges on the market, and it attaches to all 510 cannabis and CBD cartridges.
“The Phreedom represents a massive step toward a vaping culture free of exhaled vapor, pollutants and best of all, its associated shame,” said Philter Labs’ chief technology officer and inventor, John Grimm, in a statement.
“We wanted to provide a product that respects a person’s right to vape. The Phreedom is exactly that, with seamless integration for the majority of vape cartridges on the market and an enhanced experience focused on protecting people’s health, the health of the environment and the quality of the consumer experience.”
The Phreedom uses Philter’s patented Zero-5 technology to help eliminate secondhand vapor.
Philter offers other filtration devices, but the Phreedom is the first to allow users to inhale and exhale through the device.
October 13, 2020
Juul Calls for Common Ground in Harm Reduction
Joe Murillo
For tobacco harm reduction to be successful, it is imperative that alternative products can compete with combustible cigarettes and that adult smokers have clear information on a product’s relative risk compared to smoking, according to Juul Labs Chief Regulatory Officer Joe Murillo.

In his closing remarks at the 2020 Global Tobacco & Nicotine Forum (GTNF), Murillo spoke on how the category can sustainably accelerate the market away from combustible products while at the same time combating underage use and fostering a more responsible marketplace for vapor products that ensures equal access for all adult smokers.

Murillo’s address pinpointed critical areas where the industry and stakeholders can find common ground in the pursuit of progress, including educating society on the benefits of tobacco harm reduction and using risk-proportionate regulation to elevate alternatives that can ultimately end the death and disease caused by smoking combustible cigarettes.

According to Juul Labs, this year’s GTNF provided an invaluable opportunity for a diverse set of stakeholders to come together and speak about using innovation and regulation to create sustainable change in the tobacco and nicotine market.
September 29, 2020
Australia Rejects Tobacco Heating Products

Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia rejected an application from Philip Morris (PM) that would have allowed the sale of heated-tobacco products.

This follows the Australian government’s ban on the import of nicotine-based e-cigarettes. Health Minister Greg Hunt planned to implement the ban beginning July 1 of this year, but the ban has now been pushed back to the beginning of 2021 to allow those who have been using e-cigarettes with nicotine to quit smoking combustibles to get prescriptions and end their addiction.

The ban would make the import of vaporizer nicotine and e-cigarettes allowable only with a doctor’s prescription.

There were 82 submissions in the TGA decision that supported heated-tobacco products, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concluded that PM’s tobacco-heating product “is expected to benefit the health of the population as a whole.” The TGA received submissions from the Lung Foundation, Cancer Council Australia, Australian Council on Health and Smoking, and the National Heart Foundation, though, that stated their concerns regarding public health risks of heated-tobacco products. The TGA ultimately decided there were “significant safety concerns with heated-tobacco products,” according to news.com.au.

“Study after study shows that scientifically substantiated smoke-free products that do not generate smoke, while not risk-free, are a much better alternative for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke cigarettes,” said Tammy Chan, Philip Morris managing director. “It’s time Australian authorities recognize that many adult smokers will continue to smoke cigarettes—the most harmful way of consuming nicotine—unless the government rethinks its tobacco control policy. Smoke-free products can play a role in reducing smoking rates.”

According to Chan, Australia’s stance on smoke-free products is at odds with other countries; heated-tobacco products are available in 50 other countries.
August 24, 2020
Canadian Group Concerned By E-vapor Misinformation

Credit: Sarah J
Misinformation in the vapor industry is a growing concern, according to an industry advocacy group. The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) says its alarmed by the resurgence of media reports inaccurately depicting vaping as being as harmful as smoking, as well as linking vaping to increased COVID-19 symptom severity.
The organization says both claims have long been disproven and it is concerning to see a sudden return of misinformation coming out of the United States.
Darryl Tempest, executive director of the CVA says that disregarding the facts in bad faith jeopardizes the health of millions of smokers globally.
In addition to misleading smokers about the relative harm vaping products pose, Tempest says it is equally troubling to the CVA that many publications continue to link vaping to COVID-19 long after health authorities have verified that there is no proven connection. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated, “E-cigarette use can expose the lungs to toxic chemicals, but whether those exposures increase the risk of COVID-19 is not known.,” a press release states.
The Science Media Research Center released statements regarding their understanding of vaping and COVID-19, and these statements clearly demonstrate that the scientific community recognizes the great harm reduction potential of vaping products.
“There is no evidence that vaping increases the risk of infection or progression to severe conditions of COVID-19. However, vapers with a long previous smoking history could exhibit conditions seen in vulnerable patients. However, this would not be an effect of vaping but of previous smoking. Since completely switching from smoking to vaping improves cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, smokers who switch to vaping might be expected to have a better prognosis if infected by COVID-19,” said Dr. Caitlyn Notley. “E-cigarettes are the most popular consumer option for stop smoking support, and they are effective. People should be encouraged to switch to vaping rather than continuing to smoke tobacco.”.
August 9, 2020
Respira Adds Former Altria Exec to Leadership Team

Credit: Respira
Respira Technologies has appointed Brian W. Quigley, a 16 year veteran of Altria Group, as its Chief Operating Officer effective July 1. At Altria, Quigley served as CEO of its smokeless tobacco business from 2012 to 2018, a $2.3 billion business with over 800 employees, according to a press release.
Quigley will be responsible for driving Respira’s operational strategy, regulatory strategy, and commercial efforts with a focus on disrupting the tobacco market, nicotine replacement therapy market, and developing pharmaceutical applications through partnerships.
Respira has developed two proprietary drug delivery platforms, RespiRx, a zero heat aerosol technology, and Wave, a low heat aerosol technology. Both technology platforms are designed for safe aerosol-based delivery of drugs to patients and end users, without the creation of harmful by-products and compounds.
The company’s device platforms have applications in nicotine replacement therapies, reduced harm tobacco products, and pharmaceutical drug delivery with a total addressable market opportunity of greater than $1 trillion, according to the release.
Brian Quigley/Credit: Altria

“We are thrilled to have Brian join the Respira team as we prepare to enter the commercial phase of our company’s growth,” said Mario Danek, Respira’s founder and CEO. “Brian’s vocal leadership for responsible industry practices and harm-reduction combined with his impressive track record of driving business performance in FDA regulated businesses make him the perfect leader for the next phase of growth for our unique product platforms.”
Quigley said he is excited to be joining Respira Technologies at this critical moment in the company’s journey. “I look forward to working with our team, investors, and partners as we prepare to commercialize our proprietary drug delivery platforms,” said Quigley. “My goal is to help improve public health and patient outcomes across a range of inhalable therapeutic applications, including tobacco cessation and the reduction of risk associated with tobacco use.”
Respira is backed by leading venture investment firms, including Evolution VC Partners, Poseidon Asset Management, and DG Ventures.
June 30, 2020