This year could shape up to be a historic one for tobacco control — or one in which Big Tobacco accelerates its steady transformation into Big Nicotine. We are hoping for the former, but aren’t betting against the latter.
For the last few years, the tobacco industry has publicly endorsed harm reduction. This public health strategy includes efforts designed to reduce, though not eliminate, risks for people who engage in harmful behaviors. Harm reduction supports methadone treatment for opioid addiction, for example, which is closely regulated in clinic settings.