The global conversation on tobacco harm reduction is moving fast, and this week brought both encouraging signals and worrying setbacks. From the EU to the Caribbean and Africa, new insights show how public opinion and government action are shaping the future of reduced-risk alternatives.

Let’s start with some encouraging findings. Remember the Cardiovascular Health Plan consultation? We ran an AI-driven analysis of the public consultation and found something striking: wherever harm reduction was mentioned, over 76% of respondents supported including less harmful nicotine alternatives in the EU’s plan. This shows that the call for pragmatic, science-based policies is growing louder across Europe, and it will be increasingly difficult for policymakers to ignore.

Momentum is also building in the Caribbean. In our latest opinion piece in the Trinidad Guardian, we explored Trinidad & Tobago’s opportunity to champion harm reduction and move toward a smoke-free future. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that it is collecting data to lay the groundwork for regulating reduced-risk products like vapes, nicotine pouches, and heat-not-burn devices. This is a strong sign that the country recognises the need for a new and more effective approach.

But not all developments are encouraging. The World Vapers’ Alliance strongly condemns statements by European Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, as reported by Politico, regarding plans to equalise taxes on vaping products with cigarettes. The Commissioner’s claims reveal a profound misunderstanding of tobacco harm reduction and threaten one of Europe’s most effective tools for saving lives. We have published a full review of these remarks on our blog, be sure to read it here.

But while some governments are moving in the right direction, others risk repeating old mistakes. In Kenya, a nationwide survey revealed overwhelming public concern over the government’s proposed bans on flavoured vapes and nicotine pouches, along with harsh restrictions on other safer alternatives. The message is clear: these measures will not protect people but instead fuel illicit trade, endanger lives, and destroy job opportunities. Nearly three in four Kenyans (73%) believe such bans will drive black-market growth, and among those who already use these products, 81% say they would be pushed underground if bans go ahead. Only 1% strongly disagreed. The full report can be found here.

Across Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa, we see both opportunities and risks. Policymakers have a chance to embrace harm reduction and save lives or to ignore evidence and push people back into the shadows. The choice is theirs, but the momentum for change is clear.