Smokers can expect to reduce the risks of their nicotine use by switching from cigarettes to heated tobacco, known as heat-not-burn. In a recent study involving 224 participants, researchers measured significantly lower levels of several carcinogens in the vapor of heat-not-burn products compared to cigarette smoke.
Tobacco products that heat tobacco instead of burning it are controversial and still a relatively unexplored form of vejpning. At least in terms of independent studies. But a study from an independent research institute in China now confirms that the heat-not-burn technique is likely to pose significantly fewer health risks compared to smoking traditional cigarettes.
Biomarkers are crucial
The study, conducted at the Shanghai New Tobacco Product Research Institute Co in China, involved 224 participants from four Chinese cities. The participants were smokers who were divided into two groups, with one group continuing to smoke and one group using only a heat-not-burn product. The results showed significant reductions in some biomarker levels of exposure and confirm what previous industry research has shown. According to the researchers, heated tobacco should therefore be seen as a potentially less harmful alternative for smokers who have difficulty quitting nicotine.
Tobacco in an e-cigarette
HTPs are tobacco products that use heat, heated to around 350 degrees, instead of combustion (closer to 1000 degrees) to generate an aerosol (in the form of vapor) containing nicotine. Companies such as Philip Morris, but also British American Tobacco, market HTP alongside regular cigarettes, as a harm reduction alternative to smoking. PMI released its first variant of the IQOS 2015 label.
Lack of independent studies
However, previous research indicates a complex picture of HTP's effects on health. According to a 2018 report, via British Public Health Agency "may" HTPs: be safer than traditional cigarettes, but while less safe than traditional e-cigarettes. At the same time, other studies have pointed to similar levels of carcinogens as traditional cigarettes.
Despite the increased attention, there are still gaps in research on HTPs, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and others. Both short-term and long-term effects on health are still relatively unknown.
Often industry-funded research
According to the WHO, claims of reduced risk of HTPs are often based on industry-funded research, which may have its own agenda. Health organizations have therefore called for independent studies to get an accurate picture of the health impact of products.
Significantly lower risks
The Shanghai New Tobacco Product Research Institute compared the levels of nine so-called biomarkers known to increase the risk of various smoking-related diseases, including tobacco-specific nitrosamines and volatile organic compounds. The participants were smokers who switched from conventional cigarettes to HTP. The results showed that the levels of these biomarkers were 5.4 and 5.2 times higher in conventional cigarettes compared to HTP.
The team also found that the changes in biomarker levels were similar for both men and women.
Further studies needed
The study, like the WHO, highlights the importance of further research and discussion on alternative tobacco products, especially given the growing interest in HTP in China. More studies are needed to fully evaluate the long-term impact. Furthermore, the researchers emphasize the importance of continuing to monitor and regulate tobacco products to ensure they present a real health benefit to smokers. They also argue that the benefits should be weighed against the risks to a new generation of nicotine users who use new nicotine products.
The researchers behind the study do not disclose any links to the tobacco industry. However, the Shanghai New Tobacco Product Research Institute is an independent organization that specializes in testing new nicotine products.
At the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Tobacco Convention (COP10) in February 2024, WHO Parties are expected to decide whether Heat-not-Burn products, along with e-cigarettes and snus/nicotine pouches, should be regulated as strictly as traditional cigarettes.
