Understanding Tobacco Harm Reduction

Last Updated: 29 July 2025
7
Modules
50
Activities
11
Tasks

About the Course

Welcome to our Course! We are thrilled to have you join us as we explore the field of tobacco harm reduction and public health.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the global landscape of tobacco smoking.
  • Define tobacco harm reduction and its principles.
  • Identify various safer nicotine products and their role in harm reduction.
  • Recognise the importance of risk proportionate regulation for safer nicotine products.
  • Evaluate the critiques and challenges faced by tobacco harm reduction.
  • Describe common myths about tobacco harm reduction.

  1. 1.1

    Introduction to Module 1

    Activity

    Welcome to the first of the six modules in the course. This module sets the scene by explaining why smoking is a major public health challenge.

    By the end of this module, you will be able to:

    • Describe the global extent of smoking and the impact of smoking on death and disease.
    • Analyse the uneven spread of smoking-related burdens, focussing on the heightened risks for lower-and middle-income countries (LMIC) and vulnerable groups.
    • Identify and discuss the main international responses to smoking.

    Download this Module for use offline or for other devices in PDF format: Module1

  2. 1.2

    Smoking as a major public health challenge

    Reading
  3. 1.3

    Global trends

    Reading
  4. 1.4

    Risks from smoking

    Reading
  5. 1.5

    Tasks 1 and 2

    Quiz / Task
  6. 1.6

    Low and middle income countries and vulnerable groups

    Reading
  7. 1.7

    International responses

    Reading
  8. 1.8

    Further reading

    Reading
  9. 1.9

    Tell us about yourself...

    Quiz / Task Sign In Required

    We would like to understand the diverse backgrounds and interests of our learners, to help us to tailor future content and resources to meet the needs of our wide audience. This brief survey asks for your gender, why you are interested in tobacco harm reduction, and any relevant professional or occupational background. Participation is voluntary, and responses will remain anonymous.

  1. 2.1

    Introduction to Module 2

    Activity

    This module looks at what tobacco harm reduction (THR) is, and where it came from.

    After completing this module, you will be able to:

    • Describe the origins of THR and how it fits within wider harm reduction initiatives.
    • Recognise the contribution of THR to reducing harm from tobacco.

    Download this Module for use offline or for other devices in PDF format: Module2

  2. 2.2

    What is harm reduction?

    Reading
  3. 2.3

    What is harm reduction - continuation

    Video
  4. 2.4

    Task 3

    Quiz / Task
  5. 2.5

    What is tobacco harm reduction?

    Reading
  6. 2.6

    What is tobacco harm reduction - continuation

    Reading
  7. 2.7

    Task 4

    Quiz / Task
  8. 2.8

    Nicotine

    Reading
  9. 2.9

    Effectiveness of tobacco harm reduction products in smoking cessation

    Reading
  10. 2.10

    Further reading

    Reading

  1. 3.1

    Introduction to Module 3

    Activity

    This module looks at the different categories of safer nicotine products (SNPs).

    After completing this module, you will be able to:

    • Define what constitutes a safer nicotine product.
    • Identify the various types of SNPs available to support tobacco harm reduction (THR).
    • Explain how SNPs reduce health risks compared to combustible tobacco products.

    Download this Module for use offline or for other devices in PDF format: Module3

  2. 3.2

    Safer nicotine products

    Reading
  3. 3.3

    Nicotine vapes

    Reading
  4. 3.4

    Heated tobacco products

    Reading
  5. 3.5

    Snus

    Reading
  6. 3.6

    Nicotine pouches

    Reading
  7. 3.7

    Nicotine replacement therapy

    Reading
  8. 3.8

    Other smokeless tobacco products

    Reading
  9. 3.9

    Quiz 1

    Quiz / Task
  10. 3.10

    Further reading

    Reading

  1. 4.1

    Introduction to Module 4

    Reading

    This module looks at the regulation of safer nicotine products (SNPs).

    After completing this module, you will be able to:

    • Define regulation in the context of SNPs.
    • Describe different types of regulations applied to SNPs.
    • Recognise the importance of regulation and its impact on the availability, safety, and use of SNPs.

    Download this Module for use offline or for other devices in PDF format: Module4

  2. 4.2

    What is regulation?

    Reading
  3. 4.3

    How different countries regulate SNP

    Reading
  4. 4.4

    Task 5

    Quiz / Task
  5. 4.5

    Product standards

    Reading
  6. 4.6

    How products are regulated

    Reading
  7. 4.7

    Why regulate?

    Reading
  8. 4.8

    International perspectives on regulation

    Reading
  9. 4.9

    Quiz 2

    Quiz / Task
  10. 4.10

    Further reading

    Reading

  1. 5.1

    Introduction to Module 5

    Activity

    This module looks at various perspectives towards tobacco harm reduction (THR) and explores the main challenges faced in this policy area.

    By the end of this module, you will be able to:

    • Analyse and compare different perspectives of various stakeholders on THR.
    • Explain the challenges facing efforts to advance the case for THR.

    Download this Module for use offline or for other devices in PDF format: Module5

  2. 5.2

    Stakeholders in tobacco harm reduction

    Reading
  3. 5.3

    Groups involved in tobacco harm reduction

    Reading
  4. 5.4

    Task 6

    Quiz / Task
  5. 5.5

    Examples of organisations that support THR

    Reading
  6. 5.6

    Examples of different stakeholders’ perspectives

    Reading
  7. 5.7

    Challenges faced by tobacco harm reduction

    Reading
  8. 5.8

    Quiz 3

    Quiz / Task
  9. 5.9

    Further reading

    Reading

  1. 6.1

    Introduction to Module 6

    Reading

    In this module, we look at some common myths surrounding Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) and Safer Nicotine Products (SNP).

    By the end of the module, you will:

    • Gain insights into some of the prevalent myths associated with THR and SNP and their implications for public health.
    • Develop an understanding of what science says regarding the identified myths.

    Download this Module for use offline or for other devices in PDF format: Module6

  2. 6.2

    Quiz 4

    Quiz / Task
  3. 6.3

    What are myths?

    Reading
  4. 6.4

    Myths 1 and 2

    Reading
  5. 6.5

    Myths 3 and 4

    Reading
  6. 6.6

    Myths 5 and 6

    Reading
  7. 6.7

    Myths 7 and 8

    Reading
  8. 6.8

    Myths 9 and 10

    Reading
  9. 6.9

    Conclusion

    Reading
  10. 6.10

    Further reading

    Reading

  1. 7.1

    Concluding

    Reading

    Now you have completed the course, we hope you have gained valuable insights into tobacco harm reduction and its significance in public health. Our goal has been to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of THR strategies, safer nicotine products, and the importance of effective harm reduction approaches. We trust that the knowledge and tools you've acquired will empower you to make informed decisions and contribute positively to the field of tobacco harm reduction.

    Download this Module for use offline or for other devices in PDF format: Concluding

  2. 7.2

    Next steps

    Reading
  3. 7.3

    Course feedback questionnaire

    Quiz / Task