Smoking tobacco is the most dangerous way to consume nicotine. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including 250 known to be harmful and 69 that cause cancer. It's not the nicotine itself that causes deadly diseases — it's the repeated exposure to these other chemicals that kills half of all long-term smokers.

Combustible tobacco use is the single leading preventable cause of death worldwide, responsible for an estimated 6.2 million deaths per year.

Nicotine is highly addictive and is not harmless. However, nicotine is not what causes the cancers, cardiovascular disease, and lung disease associated with smoking. Those are caused by the thousands of other chemicals in tobacco smoke.

This is why FDA-approved nicotine replacement products like gum and patches are considered safe and effective cessation tools. Unfortunately, GA's own Doctors' Survey shows that many physicians incorrectly believe nicotine itself causes smoking-related diseases.

Tobacco harm reduction is a public health approach based on the idea that if people can't or won't quit nicotine entirely, they can still dramatically reduce their health risks by switching from cigarettes to less harmful nicotine products.

It follows the same logic as other harm reduction strategies: safe sex education, clean needle programs, or wearing seatbelts. The goal isn't perfection — it's meaningfully reducing risk.

Global health authorities have concluded that e-cigarettes are significantly less risky than cigarettes. They contain nicotine and some flavorings but not the most dangerous chemicals found in combustible tobacco smoke.

However, e-cigarettes are not risk-free. Scientists are still studying long-term effects. And nicotine in any form should not be used by youth or people who have never smoked.

Nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco leaf. Health authorities — including the U.S. FDA — have concluded that some nicotine pouches are "appropriate for the protection of public health," meaning their potential benefits for adults who smoke outweigh the risks.

They are likely even less risky than e-cigarettes because they don't involve inhaling anything. Read GA's statement on the FDA's authorization.

No. EVALI was caused by vitamin E acetate in illegally produced THC vaping products — not nicotine e-cigarettes. "Popcorn lung" is caused by inhaling diacetyl, a chemical used in manufacturing microwave popcorn. No evidence has connected either condition to nicotine vaping products.

Global Action to End Smoking is an independent, U.S.-based nonprofit [501(c)(3)] focused on ending the death and disease caused by combustible tobacco use worldwide. We fund grants for scientific research, support cessation education programs, and help tobacco farmers transition to alternative livelihoods.

We do not seek or accept funding from any company that produces tobacco or non-medicinal nicotine products. Our grantmaking is guided by independent researchers and follows a rigorous peer review process.

There are many free and trusted resources worldwide, including Smokefree.gov (U.S.), NHS Quit Smoking (UK), Quit Strong (New Zealand), Health Canada, Africa Harm Reduction Alliance, and The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction.

We also recommend talking to your doctor. GA's Doctors' Survey found that the majority of physicians worldwide consider helping patients quit a priority.