There are many studies showing how marketing for menthol cigarettes targets women, youth, ethnic minorities and low-income populations. Heated tobacco productsMore recently, some tobacco companies are promoting the “less harmful” effects of heated tobacco products (HTPs). Controlling tobacco useThe concept of harm reduction is not new to public health. It stands for:M – Monitor tobacco use and prevention policiesP – Protect people from tobacco smokeO – Offer help to quit tobacco useW – Warn about the dangers of tobaccoE – Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorshipR – Raise taxes on tobaccoThe above interventions have proven to decrease overall use of tobacco across the globe. All these factors need to be borne in mind when pro-tobacco lobbyists come knocking on the door with the “harm reduction” sales pitch for HTPs.

Source: The Star September 27, 2021 05:02 UTC