The Role of Non-Combustible Tobacco Products as Potential Harm Reduction Interventions for People Who Smoke Cigarettes

Smoking combustible cigarettes is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide and in the United States. Although smoking rates have decreased significantly in recent decades, they remain high among certain populations, including those with mental illness. Currently, there are only three medications approved for smoking cessation: nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, and bupropion. With the availability of various non-combustible tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heat-not-burn products, clinicians should understand their potential risks as well as their potential to reduce the use of combustible cigarettes. This session aims to educate psychiatric pharmacists on the emerging evidence surrounding non-combustible products.

Target Audience

If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.

Course Requirements

To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:

  • Register for this course.
  • Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
  • Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
  • Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.

Faculty Information

Michael Kotlyar, PharmD
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Michael Kotlyar, PharmD

Professor, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy

Michael Kotlyar, PharmD is a Professor at the University of Minnesota in the department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology in the College of Pharmacy. He received a PharmD degree from Purdue University and completed a research fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy. His research has focused on evaluating various aspects of tobacco dependence including assessing how smoking cessation medication can be used more effectively, how technology can be used to assist with smoking cessation and how the availability of non-combustible or flavored tobacco products are likely to affect tobacco use patterns among people who smoke. His research has been funded primarily by the National Institutes of Health and he is an author on approximately 50 peer-reviewed publications. 

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the properties of commonly used non-combustible tobacco products.
  2. Analyze evidence for the use of non-combustible tobacco products as substitutes for combustible cigarettes.
  3. Propose harm reduction strategies using non-combustible tobacco products.

Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures

Activity Dates: 10/03/2025 - 10/03/2028
ACPE Contact Hours: 1.25
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-25-030-H01-P (Application)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.

ACPEThe American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

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View disclaimer and disclosure of off-label use

Off-Label Use: This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA (see faculty information). The opinions expressed in the educational activity do not necessarily represent the views of AAPP and any educational partners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

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It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.

Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.