Within the tobacco harm reduction strategy, tobacco harm reduction globally remains a sensitive, divisive and controversial topic, especially in instances where the debate is centred around the possible role of alternative products like electronic cigarettes.

The negative effects of both e-cigarettes and tobacco smoke on the human body are often read about in health articles and online publications, and in most cases, the content of these articles is accompanied by some industry-funded research that promotes harm reduction.

“The obscure political history of tobacco provides an opportunity to objectively analyse the puritanical, moral, industrial protectionist and scientific arguments for and against the use of tobacco cigarettes and other tobacco-related products such as ENDS. The need for smoking harm reduction is real, but also a pragmatic approach to reducing the harm of smoking-related diseases.”

This statement was delivered by Sophie Notley, a researcher from UK’s most prominent research and consultancy agency, CSUR. This Glasgow-based company is globally recognised for their research work, analytical surveys, research consultations and regulatory submissions. The research topics covered by their team of experts serves as an important instrument in the proper regulation of tobacco products, and their research work aids in efforts made to reduce tobacco harm.

The consumer culture of cigarettes has revolutionised the tobacco industry and has been influencing global political and economic institutions for many decades. To date, tobacco sales have caused billions of deaths worldwide and according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), there will be another million deaths in the 21st century if strict tobacco control regulations are not applied.

Meta-analyses on the dangers of tobacco smoking and e-cigarettes are often published in the well-known British medical journal BMJ, and behind such analyses are organisations like CSUR that provide a range of services to help suppliers and manufacturers of tobacco products to adhere to regulatory requirements, and also to help them get the approval they need before taking their products to the market.

CSUR promotes advocacy of harm reduction products and their aim is to provide valuable input to suppliers and manufacturers regarding the behaviour of nicotine users, no matter if they smoke tobacco cigarettes or use electronic devices such as vapes. However, CSUR is not only involved in research and their range of services include amongst others, research program design, analytical services, presentation and research findings and regulatory submissions. To learn more about SCUR and the work they do, visit their website, or send them an email.

About us: CSUR is a Global Leader on Behavioural Science in Tobacco Harm Reduction, operating from their base at the Centre for Substance Use Research Ltd in Glasgow. CSUR opened in 1994 linked initially to the University of Glasgow, and in 2011 CSUR became a wholly independent research centre focussing on a wider range of substance use issues and developing a large programme of behaviourally focussed regulatory science research assessing the contribution of ENDS in reducing tobacco-related health harm. Our team comprises post-doctoral researchers in behavioural science, experts in marketing, cybersecurity, and media. Our focus is on furthering the goals of tobacco-related harm reduction and assessing the public health impact of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and our goal is to ensure that those working within these industries have access to high-quality behavioural research that can further their owns goals of reducing the harms associated with the use of combustible tobacco products. Find out more by visiting our website at https://www.csures.com