Snižování rizik spojených s kouřením tabáku – Mravčík Viktor (2025)

The publication provides an overview of the foundations, principles, and evidence regarding the effectiveness of harm reduction strategies in reducing tobacco smoking and its impacts, and offers a summary for health policy and clinical practice. Smoking combustible tobacco is a significant determinant of the population's health status, as it contributes substantially to overall morbidity and mortality. The most common causes of death due to smoking are malignant neoplasms, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases, which together account for more than 90% of all smoking-related deaths. In developed countries, smoking accounts for up to 10% of health costs, smokers die up to 10 years earlier than non-smokers, and for every deceased smoker, there are up to 30 cases of individuals living with serious tobacco smoke-related illnesses. However, traditional strategies and tools have not been successful in satisfactorily reducing smoking rates at either the individual or population level. The high morbidity and mortality are primarily caused by the irritating, toxic, and carcinogenic components of tobacco smoke, not nicotine. Harm reduction strategies in smoking involve a less harmful way of using nicotine. This principle underlies the long-available replacement...