Research Articles

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the Conference of the Parties (COP): an explainer. (May 14, 2023)
From 20-25 November 2023, government delegations from around the world will meet in Panama City to discuss tobacco and nicotine policy at the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Decisions taken at these meetings influence how international tobacco control policies are implemented at a national level. Click for detail

New GSTHR Briefing Paper on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the Conference of the Parties calls for bigger role for tobacco harm reduction (May 14, 2023)
The future of tobacco and smoking will be discussed in November 2023 when representatives from more than 180 countries attend the tenth Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Panama. This meeting, which is normally held every two years, will influence both the future direction of international tobacco control policies and how they are implemented at a national level. Click for detail

Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation: Cochrane Living Systematic Review (April 27, 2023)
Since coming on the market over a decade ago, electronic cigarettes have caused a considerable stir in the public health community. It is of prime importance that the debate around this issue is based on high quality, relevant and up to date scientific data. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter March 2023 (April 19, 2023)
BAHAWALPUR: Pakistan needs to make tobacco harm reduction (THR) part of the national tobacco control policy and enhance health practitioners' engagement in cessation efforts to reduce smoking prevalence. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter February 2023 (March 16, 2023)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan needs to embrace tobacco harm reduction as a critical pathway for reducing the prevalence of combustible smoking and embark on the journey of a smoke-free future. Click for detail

Smoking cessation interventions in South Asian Region: a systematic scoping review (March 08, 2023)
Cigarette smoking is one of the most preventable causes of morbidities and mortalities. Since 2005, the World Health Organization Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) provides an efficient strategic plan for tobacco control across the world. Many countries in the world have successfully reduced the prevalence of cigarette smoking. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter January 2023 (March 06, 2023)
Alternatives not backed by tobacco,pharmaceutical companies: GSTHR. Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) has revealed that most of the consumer advocacy organizations run by volunteers who successfully quit smoking using safer nicotine products. Click for detail

Tobacco Harm Reduction Reflections, as My Years of Reporting End (February 20, 2023)
Many people who vape, or are otherwise involved in tobacco harm reduction, will remember the summer of 2019. That was when Juul faced endless criticism from Congress-by October, the company had voluntarily stopped selling most of its flavored e-cigarettes even online and the media became transfixed on a string of vaping-related illnesses throughout the United States. Click for detail

"Next Time It Could Be You" - The McCarthyism in Tobacco Control (January 26, 2023)
At the end of November, an extraordinary episode caused outrage: the expulsion of Karl Erik Lund from a conference on e-cigarettes held in France. Dr. Lund is one of the world's most prominent researchers on tobacco harm reduction. Currently with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, he has published important papers about snus and has testified on behalf of plaintiffs suing the tobacco industry. He has received a preventative medicine award from the Norwegian Medical Association, among many other roles and accolades. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter December 2022 (January 13, 2023)
The Federal Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) of Pakistan, in a recent move, has approved the Ministry of Health summary with regard to an SRO to regulate Heated Tobacco Products. For Pakistan, a country where 15 million adults smoke cigarettes, what does this move entail? Click for detail

Tobacco Harm Reduction in Afghanistan: A Recipe for Improving Smokers' Health (January 11, 2023)
Almost three million Afghans smoke daily, the majority of whom are teenagers. Smoking is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Afghans every year. The previous Afghan government made significant efforts to control and reduce tobacco use through tobacco cessation policies and strategies. However, these policies were not effective in reducing the number of smokers and smoking-related deaths. Click for detail

ARI Newsletter November 2022 (January 10, 2023)
ISLAMABAD: Alternative Research Initiative (ARI) has launched Pakistan's first knowledge hub on ending combustible smoking. The knowledge hub - www.smokefeepakistan.org - provides latest data on the use of tobacco and the tobacco harm reduction. Click for detail

Harm Reduction (January 09, 2023)
A State Medical Society member of PRI recently requested information on the value of vaping as a harm reduction solution to tobacco use. There is considerable information, pro and con, with respect to the subject of vaping and PRI was unable to give its member Medical Society an informed answer. Accordingly, the PRI Board decided to retain an expert with respect to vaping and related issues. Click for detail