July 2023 Newsletter

This newsletter begins with a global survey of doctors in 11 countries. The survey found that many doctors wrongly believe nicotine causes lung cancer, hardening of arteries, COPD, birth defects, and other cancers. The newsletter explains that this misunderstanding can make it harder to help smokers quit or move away from cigarettes.

The issue also refers to Pakistan. An ARI survey conducted in 2022 found that many doctors in Pakistan also wrongly linked nicotine with cancer, heart disease, COPD, and birth defects. The newsletter explains that nicotine is addictive, but most of the harm from smoking comes from burning tobacco and breathing in smoke, tar, and toxic gases. This shows why doctors need better training on smoking cessation and harm reduction.

The newsletter then discusses the need to embrace tobacco harm reduction in Pakistan. It says smoking still kills millions worldwide, and Pakistan has more than 31 million tobacco users according to some estimates. Smoking cessation remains weak in Pakistan because nicotine replacement therapy is expensive and not easily available, e-cigarettes and other less harmful alternatives are not properly regulated, and smokers are rarely asked what help they need to quit.

The issue also includes articles on misinformation and public-health communication. One article criticises hostility toward harm reduction and vaping, arguing that countries such as Sweden and the United Kingdom have reduced smoking through more open harm-reduction policies. Another article reports Hong Kong’s public discussion on stricter anti-smoking measures. The final article highlights an ASH survey showing that four in ten smokers in Great Britain wrongly believe vaping is as harmful or more harmful than smoking, which may stop them from trying a useful quitting tool.