About

Brief biography

Clive Bates has had a diverse career in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.  He started out at the IT company IBM, then switched careers to work in the environmental movement, mainly with Greenpeace. From 1997 to 2003, he was Director of Action on Smoking and Health (UK), campaigning to reduce the harms caused by tobacco. In 2003, he joined Prime Minister Blair’s Strategy Unit as a civil servant and held senior roles in the public sector and at the United Nations in Sudan. He is now Director of Counterfactual, a consulting and advocacy practice focused on a pragmatic approach to sustainability and public health.  He has spent over 11 years living and working in Africa (Sudan, Zimbabwe and Nigeria).

Tobacco harm reduction

Much of my outward-facing work is on the public health strategy of tobacco harm reduction, which is the use of low-risk alternatives to cigarettes to displace smoking. I believe this approach could ultimately avoid hundreds of millions of untimely deaths and cases of severe disease – yet there is formidable and ideological opposition to it. This is now the main theme of this website, The Counterfactual.

I do not have conflicts of interest related to the tobacco, nicotine, and pharmaceutical industries. My income comes from property, investments, consultancy, philanthropy, and writing. I declare my long-standing support and advocacy for the concept of harm reduction as a pragmatic public health strategy, and for tobacco harm reduction in particular.

Previous employers and institutions

My profile on LinkedIn has a more complete CV

15 thoughts on “About”

  1. Pingback: It works in Sweden – experts say snus reduces smoking and protects health, so why ban it? « The counterfactual

  2. Pingback: Reasonable people saying sensible things about low-risk alternatives to smoking « The counterfactual

  3. Pingback: Clive Bates’ Electronic Cigarette Briefing – A Must Read Document on Vaping

  4. Pingback: The Problem With Stanton Glantz - E Cigs UK

  5. Pingback: E-Cigarettes A Healthy Way To Quit Smoking, Heartland Institute Panel Says | Western Free Press

  6. Shannon nelson

    I just came across your website, I own a Vape shop in Tupelo Mississippi. I have an presentation today in front of the Chamber of Commerce about my business and of course I shall include all the false information about Vaping!! Cannot believe the New England Journal of Medicine……hmmm who paid them off???? Yes is old news, but very much new for me considering I just seen your awesome letter to them. Appreciate all you do.

  7. Pingback: CQCT fracassa – THR BRASIL

  8. Pingback: 2020 Vape Predictions - Expert Round Up | Ashtray Blog

  9. myousif

    Hi,

    I’m looking for the finest blog to post one of my client’s articles. During my search, I came across your blog. Well, I found that the posts on your blogs are quite edifying and admirable to read. So, I’d like to suggest your blog ( https://clivebates.com/     to my clients.Now, I’m reaching out you to ask if you are interested in posting sponsored content on your blog. If so, please devote some time to tell me your thoughts in your busy schedule.
    I hope our post will definitely bring you valuable information to your avid readers.
    I’m eagerly waiting to hear from you soon. 
    Thank you,
    Regards

  10. Pingback: Jeunes, tabagisme et vapotage, le grand mensonge des anti-tabac

  11. Pingback: Expertos se reúnen en un debate frente al Proyecto de Ley que pretende regular los cigarrillos electrónicos en Colombia -

  12. Pingback: Expertos se reúnen en un debate frente al Proyecto de Ley que pretende regular los cigarrillos electrónicos en Colombia- EnAfirmativo

  14. Paul Green

    Hi Clive. I have been in touch with you once before in 2016. There have been recent important developments in the market with regards payment processors restricting or de facto banning these sales on an international basis, in particular PayPal. I think there’s an interesting academic connection with this and the erosion of scientific independence that is a central pillar of your critique. Please feel free to email me for more information on this development summarised in the following article from POTV: https://www.planetofthevapes.co.uk/news/vaping-news/2020-11-16_paypal-problems-proliferate.html

  15. Pingback: Tévút lehet az e-cigaretták száműzése – My Blog

Comments are closed.

Scroll to Top