Leading international public health experts have warned that the negative stance of Uzbek lawmakers toward tobacco harm reduction will deprive the country of the opportunity to save nearly half a million lives.

Recent research has shown that by 2060, Uzbekistan could prevent 464,000 smoking-related deaths if people who smoke had broader access to smoke-free alternatives such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, known in the country as "nicpacks."

However, the government of Uzbekistan recently imposed a ban on "nicpacks"—a decision that may seem ineffective given that these products could reduce risk and toxic exposure for more than 2.5 million consumers of nasvay. Currently, the Ministry of Health is proposing to ban vapes, e-liquids, and heated tobacco products.

"Uzbekistan's prohibitionist policies directly contradict real evidence, which shows that the best way to reduce smoking rates is through access to smoke-free alternatives," said Dr. Delon Human, co-author of the new study and head of the Smoke Free Sweden project.

"Sweden is poised to become the first country officially recognized as smoke-free, and New Zealand is following the same path. This was achieved through policies that made a wide range of smoke-free alternatives available, acceptable, and affordable."

"These countries have developed a roadmap to a smoke-free world, and our analysis shows that Uzbekistan could save 464,000 lives by following this example."

"Instead, the ban on nicotine pouches and the proposed ban on vapes and heated tobacco sticks will deprive Uzbek people who smoke and nasvay users of their best chance to switch to significantly less harmful alternatives."

"People who smoke will find themselves in a situation where the only choice is to continue smoking cigarettes, which will ultimately have a serious impact on their health. This is more of a missed opportunity than a constructive health policy."

According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2060, the annual number of smoking-related deaths in Uzbekistan will average 20,000 people.

A new study titled "Lives Saved Report: Tobacco Harm Reduction and Improved Treatment Could Save Nearly 880,000 Lives by 2060 in Malaysia and Uzbekistan" details how this number could be significantly reduced by incorporating tobacco harm reduction into public health policy.

Dr. Derek Yach, another co-author of the report, noted: "To reduce smoking rates in Uzbekistan, a new approach to tobacco harm reduction is needed. This includes ensuring more affordable and acceptable choices for people who smoke who wish to switch to less harmful alternatives, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches."

By the end of this year, Sweden's smoking rate is expected to drop below 5%, allowing the country to be officially recognized as smoke-free. A key factor in reducing smoking rates has been the availability of snus—a smoke-free oral tobacco product, as well as, more recently, vapes and nicotine pouches.