The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is urging governments across the Asia Pacific
region to follow New Zealand's lead and allow the sale of oral nicotine products as part of a comprehensive tobacco harm
reduction strategy.
New Zealand's government recently agreed in principle to permit the sale of reduced-harm smokeless tobacco and oral
nicotine products, such as Swedish snus and nicotine pouches. This progressive policy aligns with mounting evidence that
these products can play a crucial role in reducing smoking rates and improving public health outcomes.
"New Zealand's approach demonstrates how embracing tobacco harm reduction can accelerate progress towards smoke-free
goals," said Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA. "Their smoking rates have plummeted to historic lows,
proving that pragmatic policies focused on harm reduction work.
"Recent data from New Zealand shows daily smoking rates have dropped to just 6.8%, down from 16.4% in 2011/12. This
remarkable decline coincides with the country's adoption of progressive vaping regulations and openness to other
reduced-risk nicotine products.
Scientific evidence increasingly supports the harm reduction potential of oral nicotine products:A study published in the Harm Reduction Journal found that snus use in Sweden has led to "substantially lower rates of
smoking-related disease" compared to other European countries.Research from the UK's Royal College of Physicians concluded that nicotine products are "unlikely to exceed 5% of the
harm from smoking tobacco."
"Asia Pacific nations have an opportunity to dramatically improve public health by allowing and properly regulating
these products," Loucas added. "Continuing to ban safer alternatives while deadly cigarettes remain widely available is
counterproductive and harmful to public health.
"CAPHRA emphasises that regulations should ensure product quality and safety while making these alternatives accessible
to adult smokers looking to quit. The organisation calls for a balanced approach that protects youth while helping
millions of current smokers transition away from combustible tobacco.
"We urge policymakers across the region to objectively review the evidence and engage with consumers and experts in
tobacco harm reduction," said Loucas. "It's time to move beyond outdated 'quit or die' approaches and embrace the full
range of tools available to end the smoking epidemic."