Tobacco harm reduction: conceptual structure and nomenclature for analysis and research

Abstract

The goal of tobacco control has always been to reduce death and disease due to tobacco use. Recent discussions have broadened the concept of tobacco control beyond cessation and prevention to include concepts such as the use of medications to achieve reduction in tobacco use, chemoprevention to reduce disease, modifications of tobacco products to reduce toxicity, and behavioral approaches to change smoking and tobacco use behavior. Within each of these broad domains, diverse approaches have been suggested. To facilitate clear discussion and analysis, and to avoid confusion among approaches, we catalog 19 approaches to harm reduction, distinguishing and discussing them on 11 dimensions, including their objectives, mechanisms, toxicology, expected population risks, and consumer appeal. Because there have also been so many suggested applications of medicinal nicotine to smoking intervention, we separately catalog and analyze nine applications, some of which constitute new approaches to harm reduction. The suggested framework is intended to clarify the debate, provide for common nomenclature, and facilitate analysis of diverse approaches to tobacco harm reduction.