The case for addressing explosive weapons: Conflict, violence and health

► The impact of “explosive weapons in populated areas” is an emerging issue of concern for the international community. ► This attention links to emerging public health orientations to armed violence and established legal orientations to armed conflict. ► The potential for 'stigmatization' in relation to arms-control calls for a re-thinking of traditional public health orientations to it. ► Tension between different approaches to this problem provides potential to promote new discussions on preventing and reducing the harmful health effects of conflict.