Tobacco harm reduction 101: Difference between revisions

*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.