Professor Linda Bauld Professor of Health Policy, School of Management, University of Stirling and UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies (UKCTCS)
Abstract
Harm reduction involves continued use of tobacco or nicotine, while reducing the harm caused by tobacco to the smoker and others. Over the past two years, a programme development group convened by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has been developing guidance on harm reduction that was published in June 2013.
The guidance outlines a series of recommendations for behaviour change involving: a) stopping smoking in one step with the help of one or more licensed nicotine-containing products and continuing to use these products as a substitute, possibly indefinitely; b) cutting down prior to quitting with or without the help of one or more licensed nicotine-containing products; c) smoking less, with or without the help of one or more licensed nicotine-containing products; and d) temporarily abstaining.
This presentation will discuss the evidence that informed the guidance and implications for policy and practice. It will also outline the relationship between the guidance and related MHRA work on e-cigarettes and other nicotine containing products, and consider how harm reduction could contribute to continued efforts to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use in the UK.
