Research Articles

Is Tobacco harm reduction matter in helping people quit combustible cigarettes? (May 24, 2023)

Tobacco harm reduction means trying to lessen the harm caused by tobacco use without completely stopping the use of tobacco or nicotine. It is recognized that the best outcome is for people to stop using tobacco, but alternative methods to reduce harm are accepted. Harm reduction is not more important than preventing tobacco use or helping people quit, but instead works together with these measures.

Smoking initiation among marginalized communities in Pakistan (May 24, 2023)

Tobacco is a major cause of more than 8 million deaths every year worldwide. Direct tobacco use is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths while 1.2 million deaths are caused by exposure to second-hand smoke. Many diseases including lung, liver, oral, and throat cancers, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease, and stroke are linked to tobacco use.

Balancing Consideration of the Risks and Benefits of E-Cigarettes (May 24, 2023)

Most of them are cigarette smokers. Compared to them, the users of e-cigarettes or heat-not-burn devices are miniscule - a few thousands. With only 100-odd vaping shops in Pakistan, most of the vapers are from the middle class and rich families, mainly because of the higher prices.

Dirty Ashtray Award for WHO! (May 24, 2023)

FCA's awards became a center of keen interest as and when countries met to discuss tobacco control. It became a regular feature of the Conference of Parties. Since 2000, these awards have been regularly distributed.

ARI Newsletter April 2023 (May 14, 2023)

One million smokers will be given a free vaping starter kit to encourage them to give up tobacco products. Pregnant women will also be offered up to £400 to stop smoking as part of a package of measures in England unveiled by the government on Tuesday.

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the Conference of the Parties (COP): an explainer. (May 14, 2023)
From 20-25 November 2023, government delegations from around the world will meet in Panama City to discuss tobacco and nicotine policy at the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Decisions taken at these meetings influence how international tobacco control policies are implemented at a national level. Click for detail

New GSTHR Briefing Paper on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the Conference of the Parties calls for bigger role for tobacco harm reduction (May 14, 2023)
The future of tobacco and smoking will be discussed in November 2023 when representatives from more than 180 countries attend the tenth Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Panama. This meeting, which is normally held every two years, will influence both the future direction of international tobacco control policies and how they are implemented at a national level. Click for detail

Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation: Cochrane Living Systematic Review (April 27, 2023)
Since coming on the market over a decade ago, electronic cigarettes have caused a considerable stir in the public health community. It is of prime importance that the debate around this issue is based on high quality, relevant and up to date scientific data. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter March 2023 (April 19, 2023)
BAHAWALPUR: Pakistan needs to make tobacco harm reduction (THR) part of the national tobacco control policy and enhance health practitioners' engagement in cessation efforts to reduce smoking prevalence. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter February 2023 (March 16, 2023)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan needs to embrace tobacco harm reduction as a critical pathway for reducing the prevalence of combustible smoking and embark on the journey of a smoke-free future. Click for detail

Smoking cessation interventions in South Asian Region: a systematic scoping review (March 08, 2023)
Cigarette smoking is one of the most preventable causes of morbidities and mortalities. Since 2005, the World Health Organization Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) provides an efficient strategic plan for tobacco control across the world. Many countries in the world have successfully reduced the prevalence of cigarette smoking. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter January 2023 (March 06, 2023)
Alternatives not backed by tobacco,pharmaceutical companies: GSTHR. Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) has revealed that most of the consumer advocacy organizations run by volunteers who successfully quit smoking using safer nicotine products. Click for detail

Tobacco Harm Reduction Reflections, as My Years of Reporting End (February 20, 2023)
Many people who vape, or are otherwise involved in tobacco harm reduction, will remember the summer of 2019. That was when Juul faced endless criticism from Congress-by October, the company had voluntarily stopped selling most of its flavored e-cigarettes even online and the media became transfixed on a string of vaping-related illnesses throughout the United States. Click for detail