ABSTRACT
Cigarette smoking is a major public health issue in India and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Addressing the issue of smoking is a major challenge to public health, as the addiction is hard to break. Counseling smokers regarding smoking cessation is the first step to achieving cessation, but the quit rates remain low. Several pharmacological interventions have been developed over the years. Nicotine replacement therapy is available in a variety of formulations, each with different advantages, drawbacks, acceptability among smokers and quit rates. In addition, a range of novel nicotine and tobacco products, including Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), have been developed which leverage nicotine to aid in smoking cessation. A group of medical experts convened to review the evidence on the burden of smoking, the concept of Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR), novel nicotine and tobacco products for THR, and the potential of HTPs to aid in smoking cessation. This paper outlines the findings and recommendations regarding THR in the Indian context. The panel opined that tobacco cessation centers and counseling remain the foundation of tobacco cessation in India. At the same time, there appears to be potential for the application of THR products in India. The relevant authorities must review the potential of THR products, and make these available, to provide the best possible cessation strategy for the Indian population that is currently at risk of mortality and severe morbidity.