Recently, many countries have included in their policies a science-driven approach to reducing the number of smokers in their country.
We can mention here the United States of America, where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized smoke-free alternatives, such as heating devices or electronic cigarettes, in confirmation of scientific data showing their efficacy. This research-based approach to harm reduction is a public health strategy aimed at reducing the harms that occur from burning.
The National Institute for Health and Care in Great Britain, which deals with the adoption of guidelines for the most effective methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, has recently published guidelines for reducing the harm of cigarettes. This institute supports the use of smoke-free alternatives to help smokers who choose to continue using tobacco to switch to devices that have reduced harmful factors. As part of the public health strategy, the Office for National Statistics showed that smoking levels fell by 1.3% in one year.
Introducing smoke-free alternatives and embracing the concept of harm reduction has also reduced smoking rates by 34% in Japan.
The Canadian Public Health Association, which has also recognized the effectiveness of harm reduction, has stated that such alternative devices are less harmful than those that burn tobacco.
New Zealand has also joined the countries that have followed this approach. The Ministry of Health in this country has opened an official website with the aim of informing citizens about smoke-free alternatives, such as electronic cigarettes, with the objective of helping them quit smoking.
The logic that these countries have included in their public health strategies focuses on the introduction of smoke-free alternatives to disconnect tobacco users from the source of risks, thus reducing the harm to health, but also the level of people who smoke cigarettes.
