THR, Ethics and Sustainability
Argentina
THR, Ethics and Sustainability: an Argentine applied research project that brings together tobacco harm reduction, bioethics, and environmental sustainability. It analyzes the ecological impact of vapes, heated tobacco, snus, and nicotine pouches.
About
THR, Ethics and Sustainability is an Argentine applied research project, based in Córdoba and non-profit. It was born as a natural evolution of Circular Vape Recycle and its mission is to inseparably integrate tobacco harm reduction, bioethics, and environmental sustainability. In 2025 we published our foundational work: the 292-page study titled "Environmental Impact of Vaping Devices: A Global Approach to Sustainability." - Spanish version: available since May 2025. - English version: DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6533039. In this paper we thoroughly analyze the environmental impact of vaping devices throughout their entire life cycle: non-degradable plastic waste, lithium batteries, electronic components and heavy metals; the challenges of their management; user perceptions through an international survey; and the ethical implications. We propose concrete solutions based on circular economy, recycling programs, and environmental education, always from a bioethics and harm reduction perspective. Starting in 2026, we expanded our scientific research lines. We now evaluate with the same rigor the environmental impact (carbon footprint, resource use, and waste generation) of three reduced-risk products: - Nicotine Pouches - Snus - Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) We use life cycle analysis under ISO 14040/14044 standards, interviews with key stakeholders, and international comparative studies. All our work rests on four fundamental pillars: 1. Individual Freedom — the recognition of the self-determination of adults to choose reduced-risk products with clear and truthful information. 2. Harm Reduction (THR) — evidence-based strategies that minimize the risks of combustible tobacco use without resorting to absolute prohibitions. 3. Environmental and Health Bioethics — the minimization of environmental impacts together with transparent and traceable practices, guided by the principles of non-maleficence, beneficence, informed autonomy, and environmental justice. 4. Sustainability — the commitment to the circular economy and the long-term viability of natural resources and the environment. At THR, Ethics and Sustainability we believe it is possible — and urgent — to reduce the harm of tobacco use without sacrificing individual freedom or care for the planet.
Mission
Integrate inseparably tobacco harm reduction, bioethics, and environmental sustainability, generating rigorous scientific evidence on the ecological impact of reduced-risk nicotine products to drive responsible policies, practices, and decisions that protect human health, individual freedom, and the planet.