Introduction to the THRSP
Launched in 2018, the Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme (THRSP) is the jewel in the crown for Knowledge•Action•Change. Read on to see why the Programme was so urgently needed and learn more about the five fundamental aims it set out to achieve.
Meet Our Scholars
In just five years, 99 Scholars, 22 Enhanced Scholars and 3 Kevin Molloy Fellows from 50 countries have undertaken a wide variety of groundbreaking projects. Here you can meet some of our graduates whose passion for tobacco harm reduction is changing the lives of smokers in their home countries and beyond.
Focus On Malawi
With a total of 14 Scholars over the first five years of the THRSP, Malawi has benefited from significant investment from the Programme. But why have we focused on Malawi – and what’s behind the Programme’s success here?
Global Impacts
The THRSP is having a truly global impact. Our Scholars have had papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, created national tobacco harm reduction networks and launched new radio shows and podcasts. Here are some of the amazing outputs from their projects.
Programme Highlights
Our Scholars are making a significant difference to the lives of smokers all around the world. We have a similar ambition to make a difference to them and that’s why we invest so much into their development. Here are some of the key features that make our Programme so successful.
Read Our Report
Our first report "Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme - The First Three Years 2018–2021" tells the remarkable story of the THRSP so far. The 36-page document, reinforcing the Programme's global importance, is now available below as a downloadable PDF.
Meet Our Scholars
Aishat Alaran
Nigeria
A Pharmacy graduate, who has won a place at the University of Cambridge to read for an MPhil in Population Health Sciences, Aishat's study of more than 250 community pharmacists in Nigeria highlighted a serious lack of awarenss about tobacco harm reduction and safer nicotine products among healthcare professionals in the country.
Prof. Dr. Mihaela Răescu
Romania
A member of the Faculty of Dental Medicine at Titu Maiorescu University in Bucharest, Professor Dr. Răescu’s two scientific studies showed that switching completely from combustible cigarettes to heated tobacco products can boost the oral health of smokers as well as increasing the success of dental implants.
Samrat Chowdhery
India
A founding member of the Association of Vapers India and a recent president of the International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organisations, Samrat’s two Scholarship projects demonstrated the potential for safer nicotine products, such as vaping and Swedish-style snus, to help India’s smokers and smokeless tobacco users.
Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi
Nigeria
A recent Pharmacy graduate who has already published more than 50 articles in academic journals including The Lancet, Yusuff’s work to raise awareness about the benefits of safer nicotine products across Africa helped him win a Diana Award. He is now establishing a Tobacco Harm Reduction research hub in Nigeria.
Will Godfrey
USA
An experienced journalist, Will runs an international news website to advocate for rational and compassionate approaches to drug use, drug policy and human rights. Launched in 2018, Filter has covered tobacco harm reduction issues around the world, helping smokers to make informed decisions about their health.
Elisa Correa
USA
A filmmaker from Chile, Elisa produced a high-quality short documentary on the smoking and vaping ban in New York City Housing Authority properties. Interviewing those affected by the ban, Elisa created a powerful film highlighting the effects of an ill-considered policy on smokers and those seeking healthier alternatives.
The THRSP – the Next Three Years
The Kevin Molloy Fellowships
In his role as Head of the THRSP (2018 – 2021), Kevin was instrumental in the establishment of the Programme. At K•A•C, we wanted to celebrate his contribution to the lives of the Scholars he worked with, and to create a legacy for future THRSP participants. With the generous support of our funder, the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, we are delighted that, from 2022, the THRSP will be offering up to three career development fellowships in Kevin’s name as a living tribute to our friend and colleague.
The Kevin Molloy Fellowships will last for up to two years. Applications will be open to graduates of our Enhanced Scholarships Programme, ensuring ‘rising stars’ from low and middle-income countries continue developing their careers while building further capacity in the tobacco harm reduction field around the world.
The THRSP is funded with a grant from the Global Action to End Smoking, Inc. (“Global Action”), a US nonprofit 501(c)(3) private foundation. The Global Action has no role in the planning or execution of this project.