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• ������Ƶreaffirms its commitment to preventing underage access to tobacco and nicotine products and emphasises that these products are for adults only.
• Advocates for progressive regulation that allows adult smokers, who would otherwise continue to smoke, to switch completely to smokeless nicotine and tobacco products, while preventing underage access via strong safeguards.
• Supports collaboration between regulators, manufacturers, retailers, and public health organisations to prevent underage use.

On World No Tobacco Day, ������Ƶ (BAT) reiterates its commitment to preventing underage access to tobacco and nicotine products. We support public health efforts and advocate for regulations that ensure these products are kept out of the hands of underage users. Much has changed since the World Health Organization's (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was first ratified twenty years ago.

������Ƶcalls for global collaboration to accelerate progress towards Building a Smokeless World. Smokeless products like vaping, heated products, and nicotine pouches produce significantly less harmful chemicals than burning tobacco. They play an important role in reducing the health impacts associated with smoking cigarettes.

Countries adopting these products, such as Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, the U.K., and the U.S., have seen a greater reduction in smoking prevalence.

Sweden demonstrates that Tobacco Harm Reduction is effective. Over the last 30 years, many people in Sweden have switched from smoking to using snus—a traditional oral tobacco product. More recently, other smokeless products have been introduced, and these are more affordable than cigarettes because they are taxed based on their lower risk profiles. With a smoking prevalence of just 5.4%—the lowest in the EU—it also reports the lowest mortality rates for smoking-related cancers. Scientists estimate that 3.5 million lives could be saved over the next decade if the EU achieved similar outcomesⁱ.

Regulators should ensure that adult smokers have access to smokeless products and accurate information about their risk profiles relative to smoking. It is, however, equally important that measures are implemented to ensure that those who are underage cannot buy any tobacco or nicotine product.

Key Principles to Prevent Underage Access

• Prohibit underage use: Outlaw the sale and use of tobacco and nicotine products by and to underage individuals.
• Age verification: Mandatory age verification mechanisms at the point of purchase or delivery.
• Flavour restrictions and responsible marketing: Allow adult-oriented flavours and prohibit flavours, descriptors, and packaging uniquely appealing to underage individuals.
• Robust enforcement and sanctions: Prioritisation of effective enforcement underpinned by robust and tailored sanctions for those who break the rules.

Dr James Murphy, Director of Research & Science, said:

“On World No Tobacco Day, we stand alongside those calling for stronger protections to prevent underage access to tobacco and nicotine products. We have implemented responsible practices across our business and advocate for wider change. Well-thought-out regulation can help countries achieve their smoke-free ambitions by encouraging more adult smokers, who would otherwise continue to smoke, to switch completely to smokeless alternatives, while preventing underage use.”

������Ƶrecently published its Commitment to Responsible Vaping Products, a series of pioneering ambitions for its Vapour products supported by evidence-based solutions to address the most pressing societal concerns.

Dr Murphy added:

“Twenty years ago, the only means to address the health impacts associated with smoking cigarettes was tobacco control. Today, adult smokers, who would otherwise continue to smoke, should have the opportunity to switch to reduced-risk profile alternatives. The scientific evidence supporting this harm reduction approach is compelling, and we believe progress towards Building a Smokeless World can be accelerated by implementing harm reduction strategies.”

������Ƶrecognises the harm associated with smoking cigarettes and is committed to reducing the health impact of its business by offering adult smokers, who would otherwise continue to smoke, a portfolio of smokeless products with a lower risk profile than cigarettes. Our ambition is to become a predominantly smokeless business by 2035.

������Ƶbelieves that Tobacco Harm Reduction represents one of the most significant public health opportunities. If implemented with well-thought-out regulation, tobacco control and harm reduction measures can work in concert to reduce tobacco harm.

������Ƶrecently launched Omni™, a platform to share ideas and evidence to drive the dialogue on Tobacco Harm Reduction. Review the evidence and join the conversation: