The sixth edition of Consumer Freedom Series seeks to promote consumer choices and freedom in spheres like tobacco harm reduction (THR), highlighting the need for progressive regulations based on science rather than bans.

Harm reduction assumes critical urgency against the backdrop of tobacco addiction reaching pandemic levels. Over 200 million people use smokeless tobacco like khaini and gutka, 72 million smoke beedis and 28 million consume cigarettes. This addiction is estimated to cause about 1.3 million deaths annually in our country. Economic costs arising out of addiction-induced diseases are put at $27.5 billion.

Harm reduction has emerged as a top priority for the Government as is evident in the recent inclusion of Nicotine Replacement Therapy products (NRT) — like chewing gums, patches, tablets, oral strips and lozenges to the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). But the continued ban on e-cigarettes raises many questions. Should the Government review the ban in light of new research and findings?

Stay tuned for the sixth edition of Consumer Freedom Conclave to learn more on – Need to Embrace Innovations and Global Regulatory Insights to Save Lives.