Tobacco Harm Reduction: An Emerging Health Issue for Social Work

Abstract

Cigarette smoking remains a leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States, and the impairment of smokers and those in their social environments is a concern for social workers. Despite primary prevention and cessation-based policies and interventions, quit rates are low and nicotine replacement therapies are underused and of limited efficacy. Tobacco harm reduction has garnered attention due to tobacco policy shifts and the increasing use and marketing of such products as electronic cigarettes. Social work has been criticized as ignoring this topic, and existing literature is limited. This article considers questions and concerns surrounding tobacco harm reduction, and offers guidance in formulating a social work position regarding this important issue.

KEYWORDS:

• harm reduction
• policy
• professional culture
• public health
• tobacco