The Risk-Benefit Tradeoff of Electronic Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products as a Potential Harm Reduction Strategy

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the world.1 2 Smoking cessation is the most desirable outcome, but many smokers are unable or unwilling to quit.3 Over half of all smokers attempt to quit each year and only 7% are successful.4 5

Due to the difficulty of cessation, public health is exploring whether harm reduction is an acceptable alternative for current smokers.6 7 Harm reduction refers to a range of…