Harm reduction approaches to reducing tobacco-related mortality.

Tobacco harm reduction approaches are gaining increased attention. Much of this attention is due to a growing concern that significant populations of smokers either do not want to quit or believe they are unable to quit smoking, and to a concern over tobacco-industry attempts to produce tobacco products that claim to result in less toxin exposure. Decreasing tobacco toxin exposure as a method for reducing mortality and morbidity may be a reasonable tobacco control strategy. However, the impact of this strategy must be explored both on individual and population levels. A significant amount of independent research is needed to inform policy decisions. Regulatory authority over potential reduced exposure products is also essential.