About the Course
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the scale, trends, and key drivers of the tobacco epidemic in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), including its health, economic, and social impacts.
- Analyse the current tobacco control policies in LMICs, identify existing gaps, and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Explain the foundational concepts and principles of Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) and its relevance as a complementary strategy in LMICs.
- Describe different safer nicotine products, their relative risk profiles, and the main barriers to wider adoption of THR approaches in LMIC settings.
- Identify practical strategies for advancing Tobacco Harm Reduction policies, advocacy, and implementation in LMICs.
- Develop effective education and communication approaches to build public understanding and support for THR.
- Formulate actionable priorities and next steps to translate THR knowledge into policy and practice within their own LMIC contexts.
Introduction to Module 1
Welcome to the first module of this course. This module sets the foundation by explaining why tobacco use is a major global public health and development challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and it lays the groundwork for further discussion on the concept of tobacco harm reduction in subsequent modules, particularly within low- and middle-income settings.
Подробнее... Обновлено: 2026
Why is tobacco use a critical issue in LMICs?
Different regions, different tobacco consumption trajectories
Recognising gender-specific and occupational patterns of tobacco use in LMICs
Identifying the main types of tobacco products used in LMICs
Further reading
Activity: Country prevalence chart + product mapping
Introduction to Module 2
Welcome to the second module of this course. This module examines how low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have responded to the tobacco epidemic through policy and regulation.
Подробнее... Обновлено: 2026
FCTC: successes and gaps
The MPOWER framework and LMIC performance
Limits of prohibition-only approaches
Case study: South Africa’s COVID-19 tobacco ban - intent, impact, and lessons
Further reading
Activity: Country MPOWER Performance + Gap Reflection
Introduction to Module 3
Welcome to the third module of this course. This module introduces the foundations of tobacco harm reduction (THR) and its relevance to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It explains what THR means, the continuum of risk of different tobacco products, and why safer nicotine products (SNPs) offer a pragmatic path to reducing the health burden of smoking.
Подробнее... Обновлено: 2026
What is tobacco harm reduction?
Scientific rationale: the risk continuum
Individual-level effectiveness of vaping and other SNPs for smoking cessation
Population-level evidence: changes in nicotine markets and declines in smoking
Limitations of abstinence-only approaches in LMICs
Common myths and misconceptions (LMIC focus)
Ethical and practical debates in LMICs
Video lecture: why tobacco harm reduction matters in LMICs
Further reading
Introduction to Module 4
Welcome to the fourth module of this course. This module examines the current landscape of safer nicotine products (SNPs) and the multifaceted barriers that shape the adoption and implementation of tobacco harm reduction (THR) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Подробнее... Обновлено: 2026
Overview of safer nicotine products in LMICs
Affordability and accessibility
Regulatory and policy environments
Quality control and supply chains
Influence of international actors
WHO’s role and global policy dynamics
Cross-cutting barriers
Further Reading
Introduction to Module 5
Welcome to the fifth module of this course. This module focuses on the pathways for advancing tobacco harm reduction (THR) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Подробнее... Обновлено: 2026
Policy innovation: proportionate, risk-based regulation
Advocacy and public education: building THR literacy
Integrating THR into health and social service programmes
Stakeholder engagement: collaboration for impact
Adapting global practices: lessons with contextual relevance
Local innovation: LMIC-led solutions
Case studies of tobacco harm reduction research and innovation led by THRSP scholars in LMICs
Further reading
Introduction to Module 6
Welcome to the sixth module of this course. This module focuses on the critical role of education, communication, and social engagement in advancing tobacco harm reduction (THR) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Подробнее... Обновлено: 2026
Strategies for engaging communities, leaders, and policymakers
Framing THR: matching messages to audiences and purposes
Tools and media for effective THR communication
Co-Creation: communicating with, not at, people
Case studies: creative and community-led THR communication in LMICs
Introduction to Module 7
Welcome to the final module of this course. Having explored the scientific foundations, barriers, and enablers of tobacco harm reduction (THR), we now turn to the practical question: What should LMICs prioritise next?
This module is designed for a broad LMIC audience and provides a practical roadmap for advancing THR, particularly for policymakers and those involved in implementation.
Подробнее... Обновлено: 2026
Identifying urgent THR policy and implementation priorities
Aligning THR with national tobacco control and NCD goals
Addressing health equity and inclusion
Strengthening local capacity
Regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing
Funding and sustainability
Monitoring and evaluation
Further reading
Course feedback questionnaire