Quiz 4.
After completing the quiz, you will be told whether your answer was correct or incorrect and the number of points you got. Incorrect answers are marked in red.
You can take the quiz many times, there are no restrictions.
The quiz score is converted to a scale from 0 to 100 percent.
Your country bans all non-combustible nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, but continues to allow the sale of cigarettes and other combustible tobacco products, despite high smoking prevalence. A new public health director wants to explore harm reduction approaches.
Which policy action best reflects a risk-proportionate approach?
Continue banning all nicotine products to discourage use altogether
Allow e-cigarettes but tax them at the same rate as cigarettes
Regulate safer nicotine products separately based on their relative risk to health
This option is correct because risk-proportionate regulation means treating products according to their relative levels of harm. Safer nicotine products should be regulated and taxed differently from combustible tobacco to encourage switching and protect public health.
Permit only combustible tobacco products under strict licensing
An African country reports widespread sale of counterfeit vaping products in informal markets, leading to concern about risk to health. Health officials propose a total ban to “protect consumers.”
What would be the most effective harm-reduction–oriented response?
Enforce product quality standards and licensing for legitimate vendors
This option is correct because establishing quality control, import standards, and licensed vendors protects consumers while maintaining access to regulated, safer products. A full ban would only expand unregulated informal markets and worsen safety problems.
Ban all imports to eliminate the risk completely
Increase cigarette taxes to shift people who smoke away from vaping
Ignore the issue, as enforcement is costly
A low-income country relies heavily on donor funding from organisations that oppose safer nicotine products. Local scientists, however, have evidence supporting tobacco harm reduction.
What should the government prioritise?
Maintain donor approval to secure funding, even if local evidence suggests otherwise
Balance donor relationships with independent evaluation of local research
This option is correct because governments should respect donor partnerships but retain autonomy to evaluate domestic evidence. Evidence-based policymaking rooted in local data ensures sovereignty, credibility, and better health outcomes.
Adopt WHO’s position without question to stay consistent globally
Ban all nicotine products until donors change their stance
A national harm-reduction group plans to educate the public about safer nicotine products. Health officials warn that doing so will “normalise nicotine use.” Which communication strategy would best reduce stigma and misinformation?
Emphasise that SNPs are completely harmless
Highlight that SNPs are much less harmful than smoking and intended for adults who smoke
This option is correct because balanced, evidence-based messaging clarifies that SNPs are not risk-free but significantly safer than smoking. It keeps the focus on adults who smoke and supports informed decision-making without promoting use among youth.
Target youth audiences to increase awareness
Avoid discussing nicotine entirely to prevent controversy
In a middle-income country, safer nicotine products are available only in cities and cost far more than cigarettes. Policymakers want to improve access while preventing misuse. Which approach would best promote equitable access?
Lower import taxes and introduce product standards for quality and safety
This option is correct because lowering import taxes reduces costs, and clear product standards ensure safety and quality. This promotes equitable access for people who smoke while discouraging unsafe informal trade and counterfeit products.
Subsidise cigarette prices to maintain fairness
Limit sales to luxury outlets to control distribution
Encourage consumers to buy from informal markets where prices are lower