‘Prohibition Does Not Work’ Launches Global Platform Advocating for Smoke-Free Future
The new initiative highlights the importance of evidence based harm-reduction policies and an end to the failures of nicotine prohibition.
12 August 2025 - Today marks the official launch of Prohibition Does Not Work, an organisation dedicated to advancing progressive policies that empower adult smokers to transition to safer, smoke-free alternatives while exposing the dangers of prohibitionist measures. Backed by a coalition of international think tanks, the organisation highlights the benefits of progressive, evidence-based solutions and policies to help achieve a smoke free world.
"Prohibition has completely and totally failed” said Tim Andrews, Director of Consumer Issues at the Tholos Foundation, one of the organisation’s main partners. “The result has been crime, lost tax revenue, and more people smoking and dying as a result. It’s time for governments to accept the science, and embrace tobacco harm reduction policies proven to work.”
“Australia’s prohibition on nicotine vapes and overly restrictive tobacco laws have done nothing to curb demand, they’ve simply pushed both products into the hands of organised crime.” said Brian Marlow, Executive Director of the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance. “The result is a thriving black market where gangs fight over territory, stores are firebombed, and violence spills onto our streets, all while consumers are left with unregulated, potentially dangerous products and taxpayers foot the bill for the chaos.”
‘Prohibition Does Not Work’ will be releasing numerous case studies on different nicotine products across the world to demonstrate the negative effects of prohibition, and positive steps lawmakers may take. Reports on Australia, Brazil, Germany have already been completed.
Key Objectives of Prohibition Does Not Work:
- Advocate for evidence-based policies.
- Combat black markets by opposing blanket bans that drive 80% of smoke-free product sales underground.
- Expose prohibition’s unintended consequences, including the alarming statistic that more than a half of illegal sales are controlled by organised crime and cartels.
- Empower adult smokers with safer alternatives and accurate information.
The platform is endorsed by leading organisations across four continents, including the Warsaw Enterprise Institute (Poland), Fundicion Libertad (Argentina), Center for Market Education (Malaysia), and IREF (France).
Media Contact:
Tim Andrews: tandrews@tholosfoundation.org
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