Rome, April 28 (beraking latest news Salute) – The responsibilities of a part of the scientific world in the difficulty of alternatives to the traditional cigarette (from e-cig to products to heated tobacco devices) in becoming an alternative but important and widespread weapon in the reduction of harm and in increasing the number of former smokers. This is the theme at the center of one of the sessions of the online event ‘In Focus: Tobacco Harm Reduction’, promoted by Gtnf, The Global Tobacco & Nicotine Forum, which saw sector experts and scientists confront each other in analyzing policy problems. reduction of health risks.
“We have a very loud megaphone of scientists and advocates, whom we trusted, who are now distorting the scientific evidence on e-cigarettes to help quit. These scientists are still considered credible by policy makers,” said David Abrams, a lecturer at the New York University College of Global Public Health, in his speech. The teacher compared this ‘bad’ information “to” zombie “ideas” that must be “fought with humility, transparency and curiosity”. The researcher suggested that the time has come to “move the field away from disinformation and save a billion lives” with tools that “can reduce harm”.
Abrams reported data from scientific studies showing that e-cigarettes (with nicotine) “increase the percentage of smokers who quit compared to nicotine-free devices and NRT products (nicotine replacement therapy).” “The lesson to move forward – he added – is that since the ‘zombie’ ideas will continue to exist, because we do not have a magic bullet against them, we must focus on the strength of scientific virtue and not be afraid to repeat the correct messages with force and pay attention “.
In the discussion there was also the contribution of Karl Fagerstrom, president of Fagerstrom Consulting, who led the Swedish example in cigarette harm reduction policies. “Sweden has already achieved its target of a percentage of smokers of less than 5%, largely – he pointed out – through the use of tobacco for oral use”.
In the session of the online event dedicated to the discussion among opinion leaders, moderated by Clive Bates, director of Counterfactual Consulting, a question was asked to the speakers: “How is it possible to create a structure that encourages companies to minimize the damage of smoking ? “. According to Mark Kehaya, president of Amv Holdings, “we must not make less harmful products more expensive than those from which we are trying to protect people. And we must – he added – ensure that we do not create a regulatory framework that prevents smaller companies. to innovate in this sector “.
Bates came up with an idea on how to facilitate the transition to lower-risk devices: “It would be helpful to allow companies to put inserts in their traditional cigarette packets to promote less harmful alternatives.” A possibility shared by the panel of experts.