The UK government have launched a major new plan for tobacco harm reduction with a world first focus on reducing risk, aiming at supporting smokers who wants to quit and to limit under-age consumption of nicotine. The plan, which was unveiled 11th of April, outlines a range of measures designed to make it easier for people to give up smoking (increased funding for quit-smoking services, tighter regulations on tobacco sales, and introducing mandatory cigarette pack inserts with positive messages and information to help people to quit smoking). At first glance it seems to be a story we have seen many times before but when looking at the details the approach is completely new and possibly a game changer.
On top of the more traditional approach the UK is leveraging a science-based approach on tobacco harm reduction and does not only allow users to find alternatives, but the government will also hand out “swap to stop” kits to 1 out of 5 British smokers. The kit as presented is a vape starter kit alongside behavioural support. The idea is to let smokers try a recognized reduced risk product and that some will make a decision to make a different choice based on personal preference. The strategy is expected to help the government meet its ambition of being smokefree by 2030 – reducing smoking rates to 5% or less. This shows a major shift in attitude towards a risk-based approach and will create a clear contrast to abolitionist countries like Belgium that has decided to ban the least harmful alternatives to smoking. The Netherlands is likely to follow the Belgian example in the near future. The two different strategies are at completely opposite ends of how to maximise benefit for public health with some banning the alternatives the other side uses as a resource. What speaks for the British approach is the Nordic example. Sweden has a long standing tradition of widely available low risk alternatives and is the member states with the lowest percentage of daily smokers. 95% of unsupported quit attempts relapse within a year so the potential for even a limited success would be enormous.
The initiative does not mention nicotine pouches as such and promotes smokers switching to vaping but the mere fact that risk reducing products are used as a tool and provided to a broad group of adult smokers instead of promoting hard to reach abstention for the few is a very positive step. It is easy to imagine that products with even lower risk will be included over time or at least not banned to the detriment of those who wish to make a healthier choice
Minister Neil O’Brien speech on the initiative that can be found linked below emphasises on the combination of personal responsibility and help as the backbone of the policy for adult smokers. However, there is also an equally strong commitment to combat underage usage as well as illicit products. Two strongly interlinked problems that should be a component in every strategy concerning nicotine products. No children should have access to any nicotine products and if there is an “under the counter” market all retailer rules and attempts to achieve this goal will be undermined.
The NNPA welcomes this initiative and hope that more countries, as well as the EU, will include risk reduced products in their toolbox for harm reduction while taking forceful measures against underage usage. Responsible retailing is a core in ensuring that minors have no access to nicotine, but this must be followed up with systems for control and sanctions. Illicit trade does not follow any rules by default and must be stopped. Finally, Adults are in charge of their own life but there should be both help and alternatives easily available for anyone who wants to make a healthier choice and policy should follow scientific advice on how to reach the best results.
Relevant links:
Gov.uk pressrelease
Minister Neil Obriens speech in writing
Link to video of speech