The development and testing of new nicotine replacement treatments: from ‘nicotine replacement’ to ‘smoking replacement’

Griffith Edwards, unusually in the 1970s, saw tobacco use as falling within the remit of addiction research, and brought Michael Russell to the Addiction Research Unit [ARU] to initiate research into smoking. The work of the tobacco section of ARU paved the way to a better understanding of tobacco dependence and to developing nicotine replacement treatments. Michael Russell pioneered the idea of attractive nicotine replacement products with an acceptable safety profile replacing cigarettes on the open market and ending the tobacco epidemic, envisaging a transition from medicinal and temporary ‘nicotine replacement’ to recreational and potentially permanent ‘smoking replacement’. Mike's prediction that the pharmaceutical industry would develop such devices did not materialize. Instead, two such products were generated by the tobacco industry (snus) and independent developers (electronic cigarettes). Another of Mike's hopes was that regulators would adopt rational policies, and that tobacco control activists would become supportive of smoking replacement once they thought through the implications. Until now, the ‘smoking replacement’ idea has been met with vigorous opposition from some tobacco control activists. The voices of researchers with historical links to ARU are prominent in arguing in favour of harm reduction and e-cigarettes. The most important debate ever to occur in tobacco control is under way and it carries the signature of Griffith Edwards’ ARU.