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Edwards R, et al. Risk proportionate regulation of nicotine and tobacco products: More rhetoric than reality. The Briefing, Public Health Communication Center AOTEAROA. 2 Oct 2024 “Tobacco companies remain free to develop highly addictive, palatable and appealing products, including cigarettes with high nicotine content, design features and additives to maximize addictiveness and make tobacco smoke less harsh and easier to inhale, and with added flavors.”

https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/risk-proportionate-regulation-nicotine-and-tobacco-products-more-rhetoric-reality

My Thoughts: It is an essential point that combustible tobacco products don’t get enough strong regulation, but what kind of proportionality can be applied to products that contain the drug nicotine and may eventually kill you? The reality is that accepting tobacco industry assurances of safety is ill-advised since nicotine keeps users addicted and exposed to respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological harms from both combustible and new ‘harm reduction’ products. Substantial restrictions or a ban on these products are warranted. In my opinion, this is the only adequate proportional response.

Stephen Hamann