AUTHOR=Kunze Michael , Santin José Roberto , Kunze Ursula 

TITLE=A science-based product regulation: the time has come to reduce toxic emissions to reduce harm

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1687986

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1687986

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Tobacco control has focused on reducing use, with little emphasis on regulating product toxicity. Articles 9 and 10 of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) offer a mechanism to reduce harm by limiting toxic emissions, but implementation has stalled. A science-based regulatory framework is needed to set emission thresholds for toxicants. Inspiration can be found from other regulated sectors, and the initial focus should be on nine priority toxicants strongly linked to tobacco-related disease. An adaptive, evidence-based approach can complement existing strategies and accelerate harm reduction for more than 1 billion people who still smoke. The 11th FCTC Conference of the Parties in 2025 presents an opportunity to revisit the development of a toxicity reduction strategy.