Global Action Community Newsletter

Smart nicotine policy is a social justice issue.

Cigarettes harm everyone. But some populations have endured more of their negative effects than others.

In the United States, for example, Black Americans have been disproportionately harmed by menthol cigarettes. These cigarettes are just as deadly as their traditional tobacco counterparts, but the addition of menthol gives them a cooling, soothing taste. This masks the harsh sensation of inhaling smoke, making it easier for individuals to become addicted and harder for them to quit.

Historically, cigarette manufacturers aggressively promoted menthol cigarettes to Black Americans via strategic advertising and sponsorships. The specific commercial push to target Black Americans led to a dramatic increase in menthol cigarette use that persists long after those practices have been abandoned. Today, roughly 80% of Black Americans who smoke use menthol cigarettes.

For more than a decade, public health leaders and community advocates in the United States called for a federal ban on menthol cigarettes in response to the health disparities they caused. In fact, research requested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that I co-authored showed that banning these products could save as many as 650,000 deaths by 2060 through greater smoking cessation.

Submit a question on the latest quitting research, and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter.

CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR ANSWER

In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration formally proposed a plan to ban menthol cigarettes. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration did not finalize this ban, and in early 2025 the Trump Administration withdrew that proposal. It’s not clear that this area of public health will remain a priority.

There are still more tools available to support people who smoke menthol cigarettes in their journey to quit than ever before. In addition to the existing nicotine replacement therapies and pharmaceutical interventions that can help make quitting smoking easier, the FDA approved the marketing of four menthol e-cigarettes from NJOY late last year. Additionally, it authorized menthol, mint, and spearmint nicotine pouches under the brand name Zyn earlier this year.

E-cigarettes and nicotine pouches are not risk-free, but they are significantly less harmful than combustible cigarettes. Though these products are not approved as official smoking cessation tools, they have been shown to help many people quit who would otherwise not have done so.

To conclude this Black History month in the U.S., we reiterate that we are deeply concerned with the persistent health inequalities resulting from combustible cigarettes. We stand by our Black community members on their journeys to quit and hope to empower you to quit smoking however you choose.

All my best,

Cliff Douglas

President and CEO

Global Action to End Smoking

By the Numbers

157,000

The number of smoking-related premature deaths of African Americans related to menthol cigarettes between 1980 and 2018, according to research published in 2021 by scientists at the University of Michigan.

Despite the fact Black Americans make up about 12% of the U.S. population, estimates suggest that they have incurred about 41% of the premature deaths associated with menthol cigarettes.

“Removing menthol cigarettes from the market would benefit the overall US population but, particularly, the African American community,” the authors write. Read the full paper here.

Global Action to End Smoking has no affiliation with this work.

Get the facts

How risky are e-cigarettes (vapes) compared to cigarettes?

Global health authorities have concluded that e-cigarettes are significantly less risky than cigarettes. However, that does not mean these products are safe or risk-free.

E-cigarettes contain nicotine, the addictive stimulant in tobacco. But because they do not contain the roughly 70 known cancer-causing chemicals that cigarettes do, health authorities including the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the British Royal College of Physicians have concluded that e-cigarettes are less harmful than cigarettes.

It’s important to note that even if e-cigarettes are less harmful, it doesn’t mean that they’re safe. Nicotine should not be used by anyone who has never used it before – especially youth. Additionally, e-cigarettes contain other chemical components, including flavoring agents, whose health effects are unknown. Some may be dangerous, but we don’t yet have conclusive data.

Scientists know less about the long-term risks of e-cigarettes because they are relatively new compared to cigarettes, but also because the market is largely unregulated. Even though global health authorities have tried to regulate this large market, new types of e-cigarettes are being marketed every day. These unregulated e-cigarettes may contain chemicals public health authorities are unaware of, and therefore are unable to verify their safety.

In sum, e-cigarettes are relatively less harmful than cigarettes, and can offer adults who smoke an alternative to cigarettes that decreases their risk of tobacco-related disease and death. But they are still more dangerous than not using any form of nicotine at all.

More answers to common questions about nicotine and tobacco use can be found on Global Action’s Get the Facts page.

Tobacco and health around the world

Country snapshot: Indonesia

In 2022, 33.4% of Indonesia’s population used cigarettes, including 64.7% of men and 2% of women. Despite the Indonesia’s legal measures to control tobacco use, the country’s smoking prevalence has not markedly declined.

• In 2022, an estimated 79.3 million people (75.9 million men and 3.5 million women) aged 15 years and older used tobacco in Indonesia. The vast majority of this use is combustible cigarettes.
• This positions the country as the 3rd globally and the 2nd in the WHO South-East Asia Region in terms of number of tobacco users.
• In 2021, 3.0% of people (5.8% men and 0.3% women) aged 15 years and older were current e-cigarette users in Indonesia.
• In 2021, it was estimated that tobacco was the 2nd highest risk factor driving the most deaths and disability combined in Indonesia. Of tobacco-related deaths, 223,500 were due to smoking, and 52,700 thousand were due to secondhand smoke.

For references and to view other country profiles, visit our pages on

Tobacco and Health Around the World.

Thank you for your support

Give the gift of a healthier tomorrow.

We are taking bold action to find global solutions to end death and disease caused by tobacco, particularly combustible cigarettes. Access to cessation education and quitting tools isn’t just a health issue — it’s a matter of social and economic justice and a fundamental human right.

That’s why we’re partnering with the National Harm Reduction Coalition and the Studio of the Americas to fund two new projects. These initiatives will expand smoking cessation resources in marginalized communities, ensuring more people have the support they need to quit. Learn more about these life-saving projects here.

Your support makes this work possible. Together, we can build a future where no one suffers from tobacco-related disease.

Donate Here

Thank you for your support in the fight against smoking.

Get to Know Global Action

Global Action has awarded more than 175 grants to institutions that support the work of over 100 scientists, covering 46 countries on four continents.

Our organization is an independent, U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization whose mission is to end combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death globally. Through September 2023, Global Action received charitable gifts from PMI Global Services Inc. Global Action does not seek or accept funding from companies that produce tobacco or non-medicinal nicotine products.

To learn more about our work, visit our website.

Disclaimer: This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this newsletter are for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. No material in this newsletter is intended to be a substitute for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician or other qualified health care provider. Always seek the advice of your licensed physician or other qualified health care provider regarding a medical condition or with any questions you may have regarding treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this newsletter. No physician-patient relationship is created by this newsletter. Global Action doesn’t make representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Global Action Community Newsletter

“I smoked cigarettes throughout high school and college. By the time I was 35, my habit had grown to nearly two and a half packs per day. I was essentially resigned to smoke for the rest of my life, when a close friend introduced me to nicotine vapor products, without which I would almost certainly still be smoking to this very day. I will be 15 years smoke free as of April 2025.”

—Phillip, USA

You’re making progress.

If you resolved to quit smoking in 2025, congratulations on taking a major positive step for your health! If you resolved to quit but find that at this point, you’ve gone back to cigarettes – congratulations are still in order. Even if this quit attempt didn’t work out the way you wanted it to, every quit attempt matters.

Quitting smoking can be difficult. Research shows that many people who smoke try to quit a number of times before they are successful. In addition to the physical addiction to nicotine, many people feel that smoking helps them cope with stress and anxiety. (In reality, quitting actually lowers long-term stress levels.)

If you haven’t yet quit permanently, we at Global Action to End Smoking are here to tell you that it’s okay. This doesn’t mean that you’ve failed, or that you’re a failure. Every quit attempt is part of your journey to moving away from cigarettes.

Start by taking a deep breath as you read this. It’s okay to feel disappointed, angry, or frustrated. But criticizing yourself will not get you any closer to your goal. Instead, take a minute to feel proud that you’re trying to make a positive change in your life.

Submit a question on the latest quitting research, and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter.

CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR ANSWER

Once you’re in a clear headspace, consider the circumstances that led you to go back to cigarettes. Were you in a setting that often triggers you to smoke, like being around a certain group of people, or in a certain location? What were you feeling when you finally decided to smoke again? Answering these questions for yourself will help you avoid these circumstances in the future, which could prolong the time you stay away from cigarettes.

There are many tools to help you quit smoking. Consider which ones you’ve tried: Did you use a traditional nicotine replacement therapy, like gum or the patch? Did you work with your health care provider to try one of the prescription drugs that can help the process? Or have you tried an alternative, reduced-risk nicotine product, like an e-cigarette or nicotine pouch?

Every quit attempt teaches you something about yourself and what doesn’t work for you. It doesn’t matter how others quit; the best way you can quit is the way that works for you.

Remember: You’re not alone in this. You’re in the company of millions of adults around the world who are trying to quit. And there’s no need to wait until the next new year to try again. Any day is a great day to quit smoking.

All my best,

Erik Augustson, PhD, MPH, FSBAM

VP of Programs

Global Action to End Smoking

By the Numbers

mg

0.7

The amount of nicotine in each cigarette under a new proposal by U.S. regulators. Currently, popular cigarettes contain an average of 17.2 mg of nicotine.

If the rule is finalized, the U.S. would be the first country to limit nicotine to non-addictive levels in cigarettes. Health authorities estimate that up to 12.9 million cigarette smokers would quit in a year if the rule goes into effect.

“My fingers are crossed that [federal health authorities] will see the value of doing this in a comprehensive way and support the nicotine reduction policy,” Cliff Douglas, CEO of Global Action to End Smoking, told STAT News.

Read the full story here.

You asked, Global action answers:

Emmanuel from Nigeria asks: I’ve been smoking in social settings for more than 30 years now and have not been able to quit. Do you have any suggestions?

Many smokers find that one of the main situations they light up is when they’re with family or friends who also smoke. In fact, there are some people who only smoke in social settings, like when at parties or out at bars. This can lead to concerns that if they quit smoking, they will be left out of spending time with their social circles.

The good news is, it’s possible to quit without losing friends. First, consider sharing with others that you are trying to quit with a concrete reason of why this is important goal for you. Your peers may be excited to support you, and remembering the reason for this goal will help you ground you when you are tempted to smoke in the future.

You may want to take some time away from circumstances where people are smoking to reduce temptations and cravings, especially when you’re starting out. Try suggesting alternative activities for you and your friends to do instead.

If that isn’t an option, consider using any smoking cessation aids — like a patch, gum, or reduced-risk nicotine device like an e-cigarette — before you head out to join others. This tactic can give you a head start on facing possible cravings. 

Let us know how these tips work for you. Remember, every attempt you make is a win and brings you closer to achieving your goal.

—Erik Augustson, PhD, MPH, FSBAM

VP of Programs

To learn more about all the ways you can quit, visit our page For Adults Who Smoke

Tobacco and health around the world

Country snapshot: Chile

In 2022, 25.9% of Chile’s population used cigarettes, with males (28.3%) having a slightly higher prevalence compared to females (23.6%). Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 7.1 thousand deaths, which is about 13.6% of total deaths.

• In 2022, prevalence of daily smoking in Chile was 17.7% (17.9% males and 17.5% females) for those aged 12 to 64 years. This marks a notable decrease of 1.8 percentage points from 19.5% (20.1% males and 19% females) in 2020. In 2022, 2.6% of youths aged 12 to 18 years were daily smokers.
• In 2022, 1% of adults (1.4% males and 0.5% females) aged 15 to 64 years in Chile were reported as current e-cigarette users. In the same year, 0.6% of adults (0.9% males and 0.3% females) reported using e-cigarettes daily.

For references and to view other country profiles, visit our pages on  

Tobacco and Health Around the World.

Thank you for your support

Give the gift of a healthier tomorrow.

As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to embrace fresh starts and renewed hope. Whether you’re staying strong on your resolution or finding your way back after a setback, Global Action to End Smoking is here to support those striving for a healthier, smoke-free life.

Your donation helps empower those making the courageous choice to live without cigarettes, providing the tools, resources, and community they need to succeed.

Every gift counts. Join us in supporting those striving for a healthier, happier future.

Donate Here

Thank you for your support in the fight against smoking.

Get to Know Global Action

Global Action has awarded more than 175 grants to institutions that support the work of over 100 scientists, covering 46 countries on four continents.

Our organization is an independent, U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization whose mission is to end combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death globally. Through September 2023, Global Action received charitable gifts from PMI Global Services Inc. Global Action does not seek or accept funding from companies that produce tobacco or non-medicinal nicotine products.

To learn more about our work, visit our website.

Disclaimer: This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this newsletter are for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. No material in this newsletter is intended to be a substitute for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician or other qualified health care provider. Always seek the advice of your licensed physician or other qualified health care provider regarding a medical condition or with any questions you may have regarding treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this newsletter. No physician-patient relationship is created by this newsletter. Global Action doesn’t make representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Global Action Community Newsletter

“After 16 years of smoking, I never thought I’d be able to quit. I had tried countless methods, but nothing seemed to work for me. Then I discovered nicotine pouches, and they completely changed my life. Now, I’ve been smoke-free for 4 years and I feel healthier and more in control of my life.”

– Joseph from Kenya

Advancing science to help people who smoke quit.

At Global Action to End Smoking, our mission is to end combustible cigarette use by supporting scientific research and sharing research findings.

We do this primarily by funding research on how to best help people who smoke quit and funding research on how individuals, communities, and policies can assist or hinder these efforts. We’re currently focusing on two main categories of work: 1) Health and Science Research and 2) Cessation Education.

So far, we’ve awarded more than 175 grants to institutions that support the work of more than 100 scientists, covering 46 countries on four continents. Our grantees’ work is independent; we have no say on the final outcome of our grants. We are committed to the integrity of the science we support.

This work often covers areas of scientific research that would otherwise never be possible. Other organizations that fund science, like federal governments, frequently have stipulations that prohibit their grantees from adapting to the rapidly-evolving nicotine landscape. Some prohibit the study of nicotine and tobacco entirely.

Submit a question on the latest quitting research, and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter.

CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR ANSWER

We’re now looking for new research proposals that will continue to advance the end of the global smoking epidemic.

Specifically, we’re looking for large- and small-scale projects that will assess different ways that people can quit smoking, correct misperceptions about nicotine, or educate groups on concepts like the nicotine continuum of risk. We’re prioritizing work focused in low- or middle-income countries because historically, most smoking cessation strategies have centered on people living in high-income countries. We are also interested in funding research that focuses on people who are facing additional challenges to improving their health.

Grant proposals undergo several rounds of review by program staff, independent third-parties, and the Board of Directors. Assessment is based on relevance of the project objective, rigor of the approach, ethical considerations, and experience of the project team.

There is no influence, involvement, or participation from the tobacco industry or any commercial entity in our grant evaluation process. This commitment to scientific integrity is stated in our bylaws.

Applicants whose proposals are selected receive funding to implement their ideas, along with regular check-ins by Global Action staff, and reporting requirements to ensure progress stays on track.

The next round of applications must be submitted by January 17, 2025. There will be three other opportunities to submit later in the year. We’re excited to keep sharing updates with you as the science continues to advance.

All my best,

Cole Burbidge MD, MBA

Director, Programs

Global Action to End Smoking

By the Numbers

Combustible tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death

GLOBAL ACTION IN THE NEWS

Global Action attends U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) heard arguments in the case of Food and Drug Administration v. Wages and White Lion Investments, LLC, regarding the agency’s regulation of e-cigarettes.

Members of the Global Action team and an external legal counsel attended oral arguments for this case on Dec. 2. In September, Global Action filed an amicus brief outlining the stakes this case will have for public health. Our brief is the only one that appeared before SCOTUS in favor of neither party.

“The court’s decision is going to launch this new phase, because one way or another, it’s going to be issuing a decision and conveying where it stands on how [e-cigarettes] should be managed,” Cliff Douglas, the CEO of Global Action to End Smoking, told Bloomberg Law reporter Nyah Phengsitthy. “These issues are going to be front and center in the new administration.”

Read the full story on Bloomberg Law here. Listen to Carter Phillips, the lead author of our neutral amicus brief, discuss the stakes in this podcast.

Tobacco and health around the world

Country snapshot:  South Africa

The smoking rate in South Africa is 18.2%, which accounts for approximately 7 million adults. An increasing number of people who smoke in South Africa have expressed interest in safer alternatives to cigarettes.

• South Africa ranks as the 23rd country globally and the 1st in the WHO African Region in terms of number of tobacco users.
• In 2021, tobacco was the 8th highest risk factor driving the most deaths and disability combined in South Africa.
• In South Africa, tobacco was responsible for an estimated 32.4 thousand deaths, which is about 10% of total deaths.
• In 2021, 2.2% of people in South Africa (3.8% males and 0.7% females) aged 15 years and older were current e-cigarette users.

For references and to view other country profiles, visit our pages on  

Tobacco and Health Around the World.

Thank you for your support

Celebrate Life, Honor Loved Ones: A Holiday Giving Opportunity

This holiday season, honor someone special by making a gift to Global Action to End Smoking. Whether it’s acknowledging the courage of someone choosing health and a smoke-free life or in memory of someone we’ve lost to smoking-related illnesses, your donation helps us create a world where fewer lives are negatively impacted by smoking.  

Every gift makes a lasting impact in the fight against smoking while supporting people who are striving to create a healthier life for themselves and their families. Share the gift of health and hope this holiday season.

Donate Here

Thank you for your support in the fight against smoking.

Get to Know Global Action

Global Action has awarded more than 175 grants to institutions that support the work of over 100 scientists, covering 46 countries on four continents.

Our organization is an independent, U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization whose mission is to end combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death globally. Through September 2023, Global Action received charitable gifts from PMI Global Services Inc. Global Action does not seek or accept funding from companies that produce tobacco or non-medicinal nicotine products.

To learn more about our work, visit our website.

Disclaimer: This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this newsletter are for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. No material in this newsletter is intended to be a substitute for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician or other qualified health care provider. Always seek the advice of your licensed physician or other qualified health care provider regarding a medical condition or with any questions you may have regarding treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this newsletter. No physician-patient relationship is created by this newsletter. Global Action doesn’t make representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Global Action Community Newsletter

“I have remained smoke-free thanks to vaping and other nicotine products like pouches and lozenges. My two great grandkids are the first generation in my family to grow up in a home without smoking.”

– Skip from the United States of America

Public health has to embrace complexity to move forward.

As a clinical psychologist by training, I have always been fascinated by the human brain. Biology has created a wonderfully efficient machine capable of taking in tremendous amounts of information, storing the most useful bits, and applying it to make rapid choices in new situations.

In the life-or-death situations we faced thousands of years ago, our brains evolved to prefer simpler, black and white information. Stark differences led to faster decision-making, which could make the difference between surviving or not. As a result, our brains still prefer to break down issues into the easiest, most digestible components possible.

Today, when we’re rarely in mortal peril, the preference for simplicity can backfire. We tend to shy away from nuance. This has all kinds of consequences, including in my field of public health, where avoiding complexity can lead to the spread of misinformation.

If you’re a person who smokes, you’ve probably heard from other public health organizations that it is imperative that you quit, and that nicotine is the addictive substance that makes it hard to do so.

Both of these statements are true, but they don’t tell the full story. Nicotine on its own is not harmless, and it is highly addictive. However, it is not the cause of most of the severe negative health consequences caused by smoking.

In fact, many scientists—including those at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration— have noted that there is a continuum of risk when it comes to using nicotine. Cigarettes, cigars, and other forms of combustible tobacco are at the most dangerous end, while products like e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and nicotine replacement therapies are on the other

Submit a question on the latest quitting research, and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter.

CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR ANSWER

In health care settings, providers usually rely on the quick and easy message to consumers that no nicotine products are safe, and that quitting all forms of nicotine is best for long-term health. This messaging is straightforward, and therefore easy to understand, and also technically true.

But this over-simplified message has big, unintended consequences. It has led many adults who smoke and health care providers to believe that nicotine in all forms is dangerous—which makes some people who smoke and are struggling to quit unwilling to try reduced-risk nicotine products. Worse, some people who have successfully quit smoking by using less-risky nicotine products return to cigarettes for a misplaced fear that these newer products are just as dangerous, or even more harmful.

These products, including e-cigarettes, certainly have health risks, and should not be used by people who do not smoke. And at the same time, there are ample data that products like authorized e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than cigarettes. There is also lots of data that suggests that they are better at helping adults who smoke quit when compared to traditional nicotine replacement therapies.

We have the space to embrace nuance. To commit to ending the smoking epidemic, it’s time we take the time to slow down and make sure we have all the facts.

All my best,

Erik Augustson, PhD, MPH, FSBAM
VP of Programs
Global Action to End Smoking

By the Numbers

Tobacco use disorder – or being addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products – affects more than

In reality, tobacco and nicotine products vary widely in how they impact health.

Learn more about the nicotine continuum of risk here.

GLOBAL ACTION IN THE NEWS

Global Action weighs in on cigarette prices around the U.S.

Cigarette prices in America vary from $6.11 to $11.50 per pack, the international publication Newsweek created a map of how these prices vary across states. In states where cigarettes are less expensive, smoking rates tend to be higher.

Cliff Douglas, Global Action’s president and CEO, told Newsweek:

 “The evidence is powerful that raising taxes on cigarettes is one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking and encourage more people to quit entirely. But prices alone are often not enough to fully support a person quitting; states must also ensure that other quitting resources, including nicotine replacement therapies, are easily accessible.

For those adults who can’t or otherwise won’t stop using nicotine, regulated reduced-risk nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, must also be available. These products are significantly less harmful than cigarettes and can reduce

the long-term health risks for people who smoke and switch entirely to them.

The best tobacco taxation strategy for public health is a risk-proportionate one—to tax lethal combustible cigarettes at a higher rate than reduced-risk products like e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches.”

Read the full story on Newsweek here.

Tobacco and health around the world

Country snapshot: India

In 2022, an estimated 253 million people (200.2 million males and 53.5 million females) aged 15 years and older were tobacco product users in India. This positions the country as the 2nd globally and the 1st in the WHO South-East Asia Region in terms of number of tobacco users.

• According to the National Family Health Survey 2019-21, tobacco use prevalence was highest in males aged 50-64 with 52.8%; the highest prevalence rate for females, in comparison, was 18.6% for those 65 and older.
• Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 1 million deaths, which is about 17.8% of total deaths.
• Of tobacco-related deaths, 836.1 thousand or 79.8% were due to smoking, and 220.6 thousand or 21.0% were due to secondhand smoke.

For references and to view other country profiles, visit our pages on  

Tobacco and Health Around the World.

Thank you for your support

We are grateful for the Thomson, and Barbara Foundation’s generous gift of 60,000,000 MWK (roughly $34,200 USD) to the Agricultural Transformation Initiative, a subsidiary of Global Action to End Smoking. This funding will support the construction and costs associated with the construction of the Malawi Centre for Agricultural Transformation on the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, NRC Campus in Lilongwe, Malawi.

We’re excited to announce that Global Action is now actively inviting philanthropic support to expand our mission and accelerate the impact of our programs. Whether you’re an individual donor, a corporate partner, or part of a foundation, your support can help drive groundbreaking research, effective cessation programs, and transformative agricultural initiatives for tobacco farmers transitioning to sustainable livelihoods.

Every donation, no matter the size, fuels our mission to save lives and create healthier communities around the globe. Together, we can reduce smoking-related harm, advocate for public health equity, and invest in lasting change.

Get to Know Global Action

Global Action has awarded more than 175 grants to institutions that support the work of over 100 scientists, covering 46 countries on four continents.

Our organization is an independent, U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization whose mission is to end combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death globally. Through September 2023, Global Action received charitable gifts from PMI Global Services Inc. Global Action does not seek or accept funding from companies that produce tobacco or non-medicinal nicotine products.

To learn more about our work, visit our website.

Disclaimer: This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this newsletter are for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. No material in this newsletter is intended to be a substitute for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician or other qualified health care provider. Always seek the advice of your licensed physician or other qualified health care provider regarding a medical condition or with any questions you may have regarding treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this newsletter. No physician-patient relationship is created by this newsletter. Global Action doesn’t make representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Global Action Community Newsletter

“I carried a lot of shame as someone who smoked. But since transitioning from smoking to vaping, I’m proud of myself, and I have renewed confidence.”

– Janine from Canada

Overcome misinformation by reading the news like an expert.

Quitting smoking is hard, and the journey is only further complicated by an abundance of online information, not all of which is reliable. News articles are a great starting place to begin your research journey, but the media landscape isn’t perfect: Some stories present relevant, accurate information, but others rely on flashy headlines or rushed reporting that lack the nuance you need to make an informed decision.

At Global Action, we believe the best information comes from the latest research itself. You can find the tools you need by exploring the science yourself—even if you’re not a scientist—with these simple tricks.

First, you need to find the papers themselves. You can either begin searching through a scientific journal database like PubMed, or through a quick news search. Articles from credible news outlets will link to the original papers they are writing about. Be wary of news stories that don’t provide a link to any of the research they discuss.

Ideally, you’d be able to evaluate the full text of the research to determine how much weight to give it. But if you don’t have time or access to the full text, the abstract—a brief section at the beginning of every research paper—can tell you a lot.

Submit a question on the latest quitting research, and we may answer it in an upcoming newsletter.

CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR ANSWER

Abstracts serve as an outline of the paper. They should be able to give you background information on the issue at hand, an overview of how the research was conducted, topline results, and what the results mean.

As you’re reading through these first few paragraphs, ask yourself what you can assess from the work. Was this a trial with human participants, or animal or cell models? Or is the study a data analysis, in which researchers accessed an existing body of work and used statistics to try to find a relationship between certain behaviors and outcomes? How many people or data points were included?

After you understand what the study was testing, skip ahead to the end of the abstract. Generally, the last sentences will show you what conclusions the authors came to. Ask yourself: Given how the researchers carried out this trial, and what I already know, does this conclusion make sense?

You can always go back and skim the rest of the abstract for other details that may fully describe the work. No study is perfect, and it’s important to see if you can find the limitations to what you can know from a paper. Asking yourself these basic questions is a start that gives you a rough sense of what each individual paper can—and can’t—tell you.

To learn more about how best to read a scientific abstract for yourself, check out our detailed guide here. Happy reading! 

All my best,

Elsa Larson, PhD, M.S.
Director of Programs, 
Global Action to End Smoking

The big idea

Read science like a scientist

As you see new headlines or scientific papers about nicotine use or smoking cessation, ask yourself the following questions to get the most out of the work.

Learn More About Reading Scientific Articles Here

By the Numbers

of physicians globally mistakenly think nicotine causes COPD.

76%

Research conducted by Sermo and supported by Global Action found that in 2022, the majority of more than 15,000 doctors across 11 countries mistakenly believe that nicotine is responsible for the adverse health conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In reality, tobacco and nicotine products vary widely how they impact health.
Learn more about the nicotine continuum of risk here.

What’s one question you have about smoking cessation or nicotine use? Click here or the button below to send us your answer or reply to this email. We may even answer it in an upcoming issue.

More from the Global Action Community

“I smoked for 40 years. Every quit attempt failed, and as the failures mounted my confidence depleted to the point where I couldn’t face another failed quit attempt. I quit quitting and resigned myself to an abbreviated life.

One day, on a whim, I purchased an e-cigarette with absolutely no plan to quit smoking. I began with a tobacco flavor. During a two-week period I alternated between cigarettes and vaping. As my stash of cigarettes depleted I used my e-cigarette more often until I reached the last cigarette. That was when I decided to put off buying another pack “just to see.”

I never bought another pack of cigarettes. After many years of failed quit attempts and no plan to try again, I had in fact quit. I became accidental quitter. Thanks to vaping, I have maintained my smoke-free status for 9 years.”Janine from Canada

We want to hear from you: Click here to share your story of how you have quit or are trying to quit smoking. We may share your response in a future email!

Congratulations, Janine! The Global Action community is proud of you for reducing your health risks by quitting smoking combustible cigarettes.

Tobacco and health around the world

Country snapshot: The Philippines

In 2022, an estimated 16.4 million adults in the Philippines were tobacco products users. This positions the country as the 15th globally and the 4th in the WHO Western Pacific Region in terms of number of tobacco users.

• Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 88.2 thousand deaths, which is about 22.2% of total deaths.
• Of tobacco-related deaths, 73.0 thousand or 82.8% were due to smoking, and 18.4 thousand or 20.9% were due to secondhand smoke.

For references and to view other country profiles, visit our pages on:   

Tobacco and Health Around the World.

watch this

Cliff Douglas, CEO of Global Action to End Smoking, discusses the dramatic decline in youth smoking rates in the U.S. revealed by a recent Gallup survey. Douglas credits traditional tobacco control measures and the shift to much less hazardous alternatives as key contributors to this decline.

Get to Know Global Action

Global Action has awarded more than 175 grants to institutions that support the work of over 100 scientists, covering 46 countries on four continents.

Our organization is an independent, U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization whose mission is to end combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death globally. Through September 2023, Global Action received charitable gifts from PMI Global Services Inc. Global Action does not seek or accept funding from companies that produce tobacco or non-medicinal nicotine products.

To learn more about our work, visit our website.

Disclaimer: This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this newsletter are for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. No material in this newsletter is intended to be a substitute for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician or other qualified health care provider. Always seek the advice of your licensed physician or other qualified health care provider regarding a medical condition or with any questions you may have regarding treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this newsletter. No physician-patient relationship is created by this newsletter. Global Action doesn’t make representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Global Action Community Newsletter

“It’s never too late to quit…you will still benefit from quitting. Nobody fails to quit; they just aren’t ready for the task in hand.”

Steve, former smoker of 50+ years, United Kingdom

Welcome to our Community Newsletter. We’re glad you’re here.

A large part of our work at Global Action to End Smoking is supporting life-saving research that raises awareness and explores real-world solutions to the smoking epidemic. But as we are marching forward in pursuit of improving public health, we see a need for something else: listening—really listening—to the lived experience of people who smoke, those who have quit, and those who are in all stages of their quitting journeys.  

It’s with that introduction that I welcome you to our community newsletter, which is dedicated to those most important to our work: you.  

I am passionate about our mission to end the harm caused by combustible tobacco smoking. In my nearly four decades working as a public health advocate fighting tobacco, I’ve noticed that some well-meaning experts in the field approach smoking cessation with top-down mandates that fail to address all the real-world obstacles to quitting. These efforts have left out roughly 1 billion people who continue to smoke worldwide.  

We believe there are more options, and the most recent scientific data backs us up. We support you trying existing smoking cessation tools you’ve likely heard about—nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges to name a few. We also embrace additional forms of reduced-risk nicotine products scientifically proven to be safer than combustible cigarettes. These products, such as e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches, have not yet approved as official smoking cessation tools, but may still help you quit and significantly reduce your health risks.

In other words, we are supportive of you finding the best way to quit smoking and reduce your risk. The most important goal is to help everyone stop using deadly cigarettes. Period. 

What are the challenges you have faced as someone who smokes and is trying to quit?

CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR ANSWER

There is a lot of misinformation about nicotine and these reduced-risk products. Some of the research that we supported found that as many as two-thirds of physicians around the world wrongly believe that nicotine itself causes the cancers we know are related to combustible tobacco. The truth is that it is actually caused by the thousands of other chemicals in tobacco smoke.

That’s why we’re here. In this community newsletter, you’ll get a monthly update on the latest nicotine and tobacco science and global regulations. You’ll hear from different members of our team, each of whom have their own unique reasons for wanting to help people quit, and all of whom are passionate about putting people first in public health.

Most importantly, you’ll hear from your peers as they share their quitting successes and challenges. You are not alone on this journey, and we know that we can accomplish more together.  

All my best,

Clifford  E. Douglas 
President and CEO of Global Action to End Smoking

By the Numbers

of people who smoke want to quit.

60%

This translates to 750 million people worldwide.

Quitting is hard and we want you to have all the tools you need to succeed.

What are the challenges you have faced as someone who smokes and is trying to quit? Click here or the button below to send us your answer, or reply to this email.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

Global Action in the news

GA provides scientific evidence in Supreme Court case

On September 3, 2024, Global Action to End Smoking filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Food and Drug Administration v. Wages and White Lion Investments, LLC, regarding the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) regulation of e-cigarettes.

An amicus brief is a written argument submitted to a court by a non-party to the case. Its purpose is to provide additional information or arguments that may help the court make its decision.

Global Action submitted the brief as a neutral expert with great interest in the public health ramifications of the FDA’s regulation of these products. Of all the briefs submitted, ours is the only one to support science and public health alone, and not one of the parties.
 
We believe the FDA should take a balanced approach that protects youth from exposure to nicotine, while making noncombustible, reduced-risk options available to adults who cannot or will not otherwise stop smoking. As we have seen youth e-cigarette use fall to reach its lowest level in a decade and youth smoking has plummeted to historic lows, there is a clear path forward to support adults who smoke with reduced-risk options.

For more reading, see our amicus brief, press release, and this Bloomberg Law article on all the briefs filed.

We welcome your feedback. Reply to this email or reach out to gacommunity@actiontoendsmoking.org with your thoughts on the SCOTUS case.

The big idea

Not all products that contain nicotine are equal.

The most important part of quitting smoking is moving away from cigarettes.

GET THE FACTS ABOUT THE CONTINUUM OF RISK

watch this

In this interview with Regulator Watch’s Brent Stafford, Cliff Douglas explains how his decades-long career in tobacco control led him to Global Action to End Smoking, and unpacks the dangers and consequences of dismissing the truth about reduced-risk nicotine products.

research corner

A snapshot of new scientific articles and discussion in the nicotine and tobacco space.

• Results from the Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey
• A Pilot Study to Test the Feasibility for a Randomized Controlled Trial of E-cigarettes as Harm Reduction Tools Among People Who Smoke and Previously Failed to Quit with Pharmacotherapy
• The Effect of E-Cigarette Flavor Bans on Tobacco Use (GA supported)
• Do E-Cigarette Retail Licensure Laws Reduce Tobacco Use? (GA supported)

Disclaimer: This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this newsletter are for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. No material in this newsletter is intended to be a substitute for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician or other qualified health care provider. Always seek the advice of your licensed physician or other qualified health care provider regarding a medical condition or with any questions you may have regarding treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this newsletter. No physician-patient relationship is created by this newsletter. Global Action doesn’t make representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.