Tobacco harm reduction 101: Difference between revisions

(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)

Line 28:

=Is nicotine harmful?=

*Nicotine is the key reason that people become addicted to smoking even though it is not the reason that people die from smoking. Nicotine is a mild stimulant similar to coffee, and while addictive, nicotine is not carcinogenic. It is a fundamental principle of tobacco ~~tpolicy~~ that people “smoke for the nicotine but die from the tar.” Additionally, nicotine is not classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is relatively safe for human consumption in low concentrations.

*Nicotine is the key reason that people become addicted to smoking even though it is not the reason that people die from smoking. Nicotine is a mild stimulant similar to coffee, and while addictive, nicotine is not carcinogenic. It is a fundamental principle of tobacco policy that people “smoke for the nicotine but die from the tar.” Additionally, nicotine is not classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is relatively safe for human consumption in low concentrations.

*Although potentially lethal at very high doses, the blood levels typically achieved by consuming nicotine via harm reduction products “does not result in clinically significant short- or long-term harms” which is why smokers have been using nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) for decades without incident. These products replace smoking with nicotine patches and gums, which provide users with controlled doses of nicotine. These patches and gums are widely sold as consumer goods, including to people under the age of 18. NRT products have been consistently approved for smokers as young as 12 years old for 30 years, with no noted adverse effects.

Line 421:

*Given the clear public health benefits for persons transitioning from traditional cigarettes to reduced-risk products, it is imperative that they be as widely available and easy to access as possible. Unfortunately, many Americans live significant distances from distributors. This is particularly acute in areas outside of major cities, an issue even more pressing due to higher incidence of smoking in remote areas. For many individuals wishing to quit smoking by way of reduced-risk products, purchasing online and obtaining them via mail is the only method available. By prohibiting online sales, these people will have no choice other than return to easily obtainable deadly combustible cigarettes, or to purchase e-cigarettes and other alternatives through dangerous black market suppliers. Therefore, while strict enforcement measures to ensure, for example, age verification, are necessary, prohibition on online sales will doubtless lead to an increase in easily avoidable deaths from tobacco-related illnesses.

[[Category: FAQ List]]

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 =Is nicotine harmful?=
-*Nicotine is the key reason that people become addicted to smoking even though it is not the reason that people die from smoking. Nicotine is a mild stimulant similar to coffee, and while addictive, nicotine is not carcinogenic. It is a fundamental principle of tobacco tpolicy that people “smoke for the nicotine but die from the tar.” Additionally, nicotine is not classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is relatively safe for human consumption in low concentrations.
+*Nicotine is the key reason that people become addicted to smoking even though it is not the reason that people die from smoking. Nicotine is a mild stimulant similar to coffee, and while addictive, nicotine is not carcinogenic. It is a fundamental principle of tobacco policy that people “smoke for the nicotine but die from the tar.” Additionally, nicotine is not classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is relatively safe for human consumption in low concentrations.
 *Although potentially lethal at very high doses, the blood levels typically achieved by consuming nicotine via harm reduction products “does not result in clinically significant short- or long-term harms” which is why smokers have been using nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) for decades without incident. These products replace smoking with nicotine patches and gums, which provide users with controlled doses of nicotine. These patches and gums are widely sold as consumer goods, including to people under the age of 18. NRT products have been consistently approved for smokers as young as 12 years old for 30 years, with no noted adverse effects.
@@ Line 421: / Line 421: @@
 *Given the clear public health benefits for persons transitioning from traditional cigarettes to reduced-risk products, it is imperative that they be as widely available and easy to access as possible. Unfortunately, many Americans live significant distances from distributors. This is particularly acute in areas outside of major cities, an issue even more pressing due to higher incidence of smoking in remote areas. For many individuals wishing to quit smoking by way of reduced-risk products, purchasing online and obtaining them via mail is the only method available. By prohibiting online sales, these people will have no choice other than return to easily obtainable deadly combustible cigarettes, or to purchase e-cigarettes and other alternatives through dangerous black market suppliers. Therefore, while strict enforcement measures to ensure, for example, age verification, are necessary, prohibition on online sales will doubtless lead to an increase in easily avoidable deaths from tobacco-related illnesses.
+[[Category: FAQ List]]