Harm reduction refers to measures that reduce the harm associated with a particular product or activity.
For example, wearing a seatbelt, or taking a specific medication for a chronc ailment would be considered as an act of harm reduction. In the 19th century, the innovation of a medical practioner washing his or her hands when treating a patient or delivering a baby is an earlier example of harm reduction.
In the context of tobacco, harm reduction is taken to mean encouraging smokers to reduce their risk of tobacco use by switching to less hazardous products. Each time an alternative product is used in place of a conventional cigarette, the risk associated with tobacco decreases.