Tobacco use continues to affect millions of lives across Asia Pacific, which carries a disproportionate share of the global burden. For many adult smokers, quitting is not easy. Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) offers a science-based approach that reduces health risks by providing lower-risk alternatives without the hardships of total abstinence.
COP11 is a critical moment to spotlight reduced-risk alternatives—by advancing policies, improving access, and fostering collaboration that could save millions of lives in the region.
1. Evidence-Based Policies
Scientific evidence confirms that not all nicotine products carry the same level of risk. Alternatives such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and oral nicotine pouches are lower-risk products when compared to traditional cigarettes. It’s critical that regulatory frameworks acknowledge these differences rather than treating all nicotine products the same.
In Bangladesh, research from modeling studies suggests that regulations that improve access to smoke-free environments, similar to those in Sweden, could prevent close to one million premature deaths over the coming decades. (Smoke Free Sweden)
In Japan, cigarette sales have declined by more than 50% in just a little over a decade, with the introduction of HTPs in 2014 contributing significantly to this decline. This is a clear demonstration of how innovation, supported by regulatory recognition of lower-risk alternatives, can drive meaningful shifts in consumer behavior.
At COP11, we want to see progress towards updated, modern regulation that is based in scientific evidence in order to actually shift the dial to lower-risk alternatives.
2. Improving Access to Safer Alternatives
Uptake of safer nicotine products can only deliver health benefits if adult smokers can access them with confidence. Consumer access requires balanced regulation, affordable products, clear education on the harm of continuing to use cigarettes, and the integration of alternative products into health strategies.
In Indonesia, where nearly 65% of men smoke, projections suggest that widespread adoption of safer nicotine alternatives, alongside cessation support and improved treatment, could save up to 4.6 million lives by 2060.(Tobacco Harm Reduction)
We’re calling on COP11 attendees to improve access to safer alternatives through better regulation, increased affordability and more education for the public.
3. Regional Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Asia Pacific countries face shared challenges but also opportunities to learn from each other. By sharing research, data, and real-world outcomes, the region can accelerate the adoption of effective strategies in supporting adults to switch to safer products.
Experiences from Japan and Korea demonstrate how large-scale consumer adoption of lower-risk products can reshape the tobacco and nicotine landscape, while also underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring and regulatory adaptation. High-burden countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines stand to benefit by applying these lessons to their own national contexts.
COP11 provides this platform to promote regional knowledge exchange, harmonize approaches, and scale success more quickly.
Conclusion: A Moment of Opportunity
THR is not about prohibition. It is about providing adult smokers with safer choices—choices grounded in science and proven to reduce harm.
At COP11, we urge leaders to prioritize three discussions:
- Evidence-based policies that reflect the science,
- Balanced access to safer alternatives, and
- Regional collaboration to share knowledge and scale success.
By advancing these priorities, COP11 can shift THR from potential to practice—delivering measurable health gains and saving lives across Asia Pacific.
