Heated Tobacco Products Research Articles

Assessing nicotine pharmacokinetics of new generation tobacco products and conventional cigarettes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

New generation tobacco products (NGPs) hold promises as modified-risk alternatives to conventional cigarettes (CCs), given their comparable characteristics. This study investigated the nicotine pharmacokinetics (PK) of NGPs, encompassing closed pod systems, refillable e-cigarettes (ECs), and heated tobacco products (HTPs), in comparison to CCs through systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for articles published between January 2013 and July 2023. Maximum nicotine concentration (Cmax), time to the peak concentration (Tmax), and total nicotine exposure (area under the concentration-time curve, AUC) were extracted to evaluate nicotine delivery PK. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to determine pooled standardized mean differences (SMD), facilitating a comparison of PK profiles between NGPs and CCs. Subgroup analyses exploring flavors and nicotine concentrations across NGPs, and CCs were also conducted. The meta-analysis incorporated 30 articles with 2728 participants. Cmax and AUC were significantly lower for NGPs, while Tmax demonstrated statistical similarity compared to CCs. Among three NGPs, Cmax and AUC were lower for closed pod systems and refillable ECs. In HTPs, Cmax was statistically similar while AUC was lower compared to CCs. Tmax was statistically similar in closed pod systems and HTPs compared to that of CCs. No significant difference was observed in the comparisons of PK between each type of NGPs versus CCs. NGPs delivered less nicotine than CCs but reached Cmax over a similar timeframe, indicating that NGPs may serve as modified-risk alternatives with lower nicotine delivery to CCs for craving relief and smoking cessation. This study suggested that NGPs, such as the closed pod systems, the refillable ECs, and the HTPs, delivered either lower or comparable nicotine levels and achieved peak nicotine concentration at a similar rate as CCs. Our findings carry implications that NGPs can serve as modified-risk nicotine alternative to CCs in helping smokers to manage cravings and potentially quit smoking, thereby highlighting their value in the field of tobacco harm reduction.

IQOS point-of-sale marketing: a comparison between Arab and Jewish neighborhoods in Israel

BackgroundPhilip Morris International’s IQOS, with its heatsticks (HEETS), is the heated tobacco product with the largest global market share. IQOS and/or electronic cigarettes use rate is higher among Arabs vs. Jews in Israel. This paper aims to compare IQOS point-of-sale marketing strategies, and regulatory compliance in Arab vs. Jewish neighborhoods in Israel.MethodsWe integrated data from two separate studies including a cross-sectional survey with IQOS retailers (December 2020–April 2021) and audits of points-of-sale that sold IQOS/HEETS (April 2021–July 2021) in 5 large cities in Israel, after marketing restrictions including a points-of-sale display ban and plain packaging became effective in Israel (January 2020). The survey included 69 points-of-sale (21 Arab, 48 Jewish neighborhoods) and the audits included 129 points-of-sale (48 Arab, 81 Jewish neighborhoods). Comparisons of IQOS marketing strategies between points-of-sale in Arab and Jewish neighborhoods were conducted using Chi-Square test, Fisher’s exact test or Mann–Whitney test, as appropriate. Thematic analysis was used to analyze open-ended questions.ResultsThe survey showed that most marketing strategies, such as promotions to customers, were uniform across points-of-sale in Arab and Jewish neighborhoods. The most noteworthy differences were that a higher proportion of retailers from Arab neighborhoods were invited to IQOS parties (47.6% vs. 21.7%, p < 0.05) and reported personal communication with a Philip Morris International’s representative (80.0% vs. 51.2%, p < 0.05). Additionally, Philip Morris International’s representatives assisted points-of-sale in both Arab and Jewish neighborhoods in implementing the display ban by providing free compliant cabinets and product placement instructions, and directly interacted with customers. The audits showed that points-of-sale in Arab neighborhoods were more compliant with the display ban (25.5% vs. 8.8%, p < 0.05), but less compliant with plain packaging (62.5% vs. 79.3%, p < 0.05).ConclusionsThere were not many notable differences in IQOS marketing across points-of-sale in Arab vs. Jewish neighborhoods, but Philip Morris International utilized marketing elements of cultural significance, especially for points-of-sale in Arab neighborhoods, such as more personal communication and invitation to social events. Continuous surveillance of tobacco points-of-sale marketing and legislation compliance is needed, with a special focus on demographic/location-based differences.

Association of conventional cigarette smoking, heated tobacco product use and dual use with hypertension.

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) have emerged as alternatives to conventional cigarettes. However, their health effects remain largely unknown. This study aimed to prospectively explore the association between the use of cigarettes and HTPs and the risk of hypertension. This cohort study analysed data from 30152 workers (82.0% men, mean age 42.9 ± 11.0 years) who were initially free of hypertension, participating in the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study. Participants were categorized into five groups based on their self-reported tobacco product use: never smokers, past smokers, exclusive cigarette smokers, exclusive HTP users and dual users of cigarettes and HTPs. Hypertension cases were identified using three data points from annual health checkup data collected between 2019 and 2021. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to investigate the association between tobacco product use and hypertension. During a mean follow-up of 2.6 years (range: 0.1-4.0 years), 3656 new cases of hypertension were identified. Compared with never smokers, the risk of hypertension was higher among exclusive cigarette smokers [hazard ratio (HR) 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-1.41] and exclusive HTP users (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.34). There was also a suggestion of increased risk of hypertension among dual users (HR 1.16, 95% CI 0.98-1.38). Furthermore, the risk of hypertension increased with the intensity of cigarette/HTP use in all tobacco product users. Similarly, both cigarette smoking and HTP use elevate the risk of hypertension. HTPs should not be regarded as less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes for preventing hypertension.

Electronic Cigarette and Heated Tobacco Product Use and Their Association With Tobacco Control Factors Among Adults in Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines.

Data on e-cigarette (EC) and heated tobacco product (HTP) use and the reasons for their use are useful for policy making. We report comparable nationally representative estimates of EC and HTP use and their associated factors. Global Adult Tobacco Survey data from Indonesia (2021), Kazakhstan (2019), and the Philippines (2021) were analyzed. The weighted prevalence rates and 95% CI of EC and HTP awareness, current use, and ever use, and their distribution by cigarette smoking status were calculated. Binary logistic regression analyses assessed socioeconomic, and tobacco control factors associated with EC and HTP use. The prevalence (%) of EC awareness, ever use and current use were 48.7-69.4, 3.6-8.8, and 1.9-3.0, respectively. The prevalence(%) of HTP awareness, ever use and current use were 2.7-21.7, 0.2-2.1, and 0.1-1.2, respectively. The main reasons for EC and HTP use were attractive flavors(45.8%-73.9%), less harmful than smoking(23.0%-70.1%), and enjoyment(40.8%-76.7%). Avoiding going back to smoking(0.9%-54.4%) and quitting smoking(19.4%-49.8%) were less frequently cited reasons (except in the Philippines). EC/HTP use was associated with younger age, higher education and wealth, current/past smoking, exposure to information about the dangers of tobacco use, and advertisements about tobacco products and smoke-free rules at home. The prevalence of EC and HTP use was higher among younger men with higher education and wealth, and current/past smoking. EC and HTP use should be closely monitored. Regulations to restrict the widespread marketing and sales of EC and HTP are needed to prevent the escalation of their use. The population-level data provide the benchmark for future monitoring use of e-cigarettes and HTPs and identify population subgroups for future surveillance in low- and middle-income countries. The association of EC/HTP use with tobacco control-related factors provides leads for policies that should be formulated and implemented to regulate the product contents, marketing, and sales of EC and HTP.

Attitudes toward smoking cessation according to smoking status among dentists in the Aichi Dental Association in Japan.

The prevalence of smoking, including heated tobacco products (HTPs), among Japanese dentists was reported to be 16.5%, significantly higher than that among Japanese physicians and United States dentists. However, large-scale studies on smoking cessation implementation based on dentists' smoking status and perceptions since the introduction of HTPs are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to investigate and assess dentists' attitudes toward smoking, including HTP use and smoking cessation, according to smoking status. A self-administered questionnaire comprising six major items was mailed to 3883 dentists who were members of the Aichi Dental Association in August 2019. The primary outcome was smoking cessation status. The secondary outcome was the impact of smoking on intervention for smoking cessation. This study was reported using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Among the 1317 (42%) dentists analyzed, men were more positive toward smoking than women. Current and former smokers were more positive about smoking than never smokers/users, regardless of the tobacco product type. Additionally, the current smoker group using conventional cigarettes was less likely to ask for their patients' smoking status than the never smoker group. Furthermore, the current smoker (OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.3-3.1 vs never smoker) and HTP user (OR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-3.1 vs never user) groups were less likely to engage in smoking cessation than the never smoker/user groups, regardless of the tobacco product type. Since the smoking status of dentists affects the implementation of smoking cessation interventions, it is crucial to encourage them to quit using all tobacco products to promote smoking cessation interventions in dental practice. Additionally, providing proper smoking prevention education to dentists is an important task.

Study Profile of the Tsuruoka Metabolomics Cohort Study (TMCS).

The Tsuruoka Metabolomics Cohort Study (TMCS) is an ongoing population-based cohort study being conducted in the rural area of Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. This study aimed to enhance the precision prevention of multi-factorial, complex diseases, including non-communicable and aging-associated diseases, by improving risk stratification and prediction measures. At baseline, 11,002 participants aged 35-74 years were recruited in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, between 2012 and 2015, with an ongoing follow-up survey. Participants underwent various measurements, examinations, tests, and questionnaires on their health, lifestyle, and social factors. This study uses an integrative approach with deep molecular profiling to identify potential biomarkers linked to phenotypes that underpin disease pathophysiology and provide better mechanistic insights into social health determinants. The TMCS incorporates multi-omics data, including genetic and metabolomic analyses of 10,933 participants, and comprehensive data collection ranging from physical, psychological, behavioral, and social to biological data. The metabolome is used as a phenotypic probe because it is sensitive to changes in physiological and external conditions. The TMCS focuses on collecting outcomes for cardiovascular disease, cancer incidence and mortality, disability and functional decline due to aging and disease sequelae, and the variation in health status within the body represented by omics analysis that lies between exposure and disease. It contains several sub-studies on aging, heated tobacco products, and women's health. This study is notable for its robust design, high participation rate (89%), and long-term repeated surveys. Moreover, it contributes to precision prevention in Japan and East Asia as a well-established multi-omics platform.

Tobacco heating products have a significantly reduced impact on vascular smooth muscle cell senescence compared to traditional cigarettes

Tobacco heating products have a significantly reduced impact on vascular smooth muscle cell senescence compared to traditional cigarettes

Evaluating the Effects of Cigarette Smoking and Heated Tobacco Products on Hard Dental Tissues: A Comparative Histological and Colorimetric Analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of cigarette smoking (CS) and heated tobacco (HT) on the alteration of color and ultrastructural characteristics of human enamel and cementum. According to tobacco companies, a less harmful substitute for CS is HT products. Nevertheless, comprehensive research on the effects of HT on tooth structures has been lacking. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of CS and HT on the alteration of color and ultrastructural characteristics of human enamel and cementum. Thirty intact and noncarious human maxillary premolars extracted for orthodontic treatment purposes, previously disinfected, were used in the study. The specimens were randomly separated into six groups (n = 10), as follows: Group 1: enamel without smoking exposure; Group 2: enamel exposed to CS; Group 3: enamel exposed to HT; Group 4: cementum without smoking exposure; Group 5: cementum exposed to CS; and Group 6: cementum exposed to HT. The measurement of color change was conducted using a spectrophotometer. The surface alterations and mineral composition of enamel and cementum were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. ANOVA test followed by Tukey's post hoc test was used to determine significant differences between groups. Results showed that CS had a more pronounced effect on enamel and cementum color changes than HT. The impact of CS and HT on color changes was more evident in cementum than in enamel. Surface morphology of enamel and cementum showed alterations in histology following exposure to both smoking types. Moreover, the mineral content experienced a significant reduction after using CS and HT. The reduction in calcium content after CS and HT exposure was similar. However, HT led to a significant decrease in the phosphorus content of enamel when compared with CS. At the same time, CS exposure in cementum resulted in a more significant reduction in Ca/P ratio than HT. Although HT may appear to present a lower danger to hard dental tissues than CS, it is not entirely harmless. CS results in more color changes on the enamel and cementum of teeth. Both smoking methods affected the mineral content of teeth, with CS having a significant effect on the roots, while HT significantly affected the crowns' mineral composition.

Rapid determination of nine preservatives in tobacco flavor by three phase-hollow fiber-liquid phase microextraction-high performance liquid chromatography

Tobacco flavors are extensively utilized in traditional tobacco products, electronic nicotine, heated tobacco products, and snuff. To inhibit fungal growth arising from high moisture content, preservatives such as benzoic acid (BA), sorbic acid (SA), and parabens are often incorporated into tobacco flavors. Nonetheless, consuming preservatives beyond safety thresholds may pose health risks. Therefore, analytical determination of these preservatives is crucial for both quality assurance and consumer protection. For example, BA and SA can induce adverse reactions in susceptible individuals, including asthma, urticaria, metabolic acidosis, and convulsions. Parabens, because of their endocrine activity, are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Despite extensive research, the concurrent quantification of trace-level hydrophilic (BA and SA) and hydrophobic (methylparaben, ethylparaben, isopropylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, and benzylparaben) preservatives in tobacco flavors remains challenging. Traditional liquid phase extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) often results in high false positive rates and inadequate sensitivity. In contrast, tandem mass spectrometry offers high sensitivity and specificity; however, its widespread application is limited by laborious sample preparation and significant operational costs. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a fast and sensitive sample pretreatment and analysis method for the nine preservatives in tobacco flavors. In this study, a method for the simultaneous determination of the nine preservatives (SA, BA and seven parabens) in tobacco flavor was established based on three phase-hollow fiber-liquid phase microextraction (3P-HF-LPME) technology combined with HPLC. To obtain the optimal pretreatment conditions, extraction solvent type, sample phase pH, acceptor phase pH, sample phase volume, extraction time, and mass fraction of sodium chloride, were examined. Additionally, the HPLC parameters, including UV detection wavelength and mobile phase composition, were refined. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: dihexyl ether was used as extraction solvent, 15 mL sample solution (pH 4) was used as sample phase, sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (pH 12) was used as acceptor phase, and the extraction was carried out at 800 r/min for 30 min. Chromatographic separation was accomplished using an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column (100 mm×3 mm, 2.7 μm) and a mobile phase comprising methanol, 0.02 mol/L ammonium acetate aqueous solution (containing 0.5% acetic acid), and acetonitrile for gradient elution. Under the optimized conditions, the nine target analytes showed good linear relationships in their respective linear ranges, the correlation coefficients (r) were ≥0.9967, limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were 0.02-0.07 mg/kg and 0.08-0.24 mg/kg, respectively. Under two spiked levels, the enrichment factors (EFs) and extraction recoveries (ERs) of the nine target analytes were 30.6-91.1 and 6.1%-18.2%, respectively. The recoveries of the nine target analytes ranged from 82.2% to 115.7% and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) (n=5) were less than 14.5% at low, medium and high levels. The developed method is straightforward, precise, sensitive, and well-suited for the rapid screening of preservatives in tobacco flavor samples.

A Scoping Review of Behavioural Studies on Heated Tobacco Products.

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are electronic devices that heat tobacco sticks to temperatures much lower than those which cause pyrolysis and combustion in cigarettes. While this electrical heating causes the formation of an inhalable aerosol which contains nicotine, the aerosol from HTPs contains significantly fewer and lower levels of the harmful and potentially harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. As a result, HTP use potentially conveys reduced risks to health compared to cigarette smoking. While this relative reduction in individual health risk is becoming clearer, what is less certain is the impact of HTPs on overall population‑level health, taking into account both the potential positive impact on adult smokers who completely switch to using HTPs and any unintended impacts such as use by tobacco non‑users and particularly by youth.The aim of this scoping review was to collate and evaluate the published scientific evidence to date, with acut‑off of 1 January 2024, investigating the impact of HTPs on population‑level health.This evaluation suggests that HTP use is almost exclusively observed among those with a history of cigarette smoking, and there is a growing body of evidence for the ability of HTPs to provide support for adult smokers to transition away from cigarette smoking, in the absence of any significant "gateway" into tobacco use initiation. Many studies have reported a significant degree of dual use of cigarettes and HTPs, and efforts to assess the reasons for such patterns of use, whether these provide overall exposure reductions, and whether dual use acts as a bridge towards a complete transition away from cigarette smoking, requires further investigation. In addition, correction of the widespread and increasing misperceptions of HTPs among adult smokers is recommended to promote HTP uptake as a potentially less harmful alternative to smoking in this population.

Yosi Kadiri: assessing smokers' perceptions of comparative health risks of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in Germany.

Yosi Kadiri: assessing smokers' perceptions of comparative health risks of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in Germany.

Impact of heated tobacco products on health – a comparative analysis with traditional cigarettes

Impact of heated tobacco products on health – a comparative analysis with traditional cigarettes

A novel approach to the quantitative analysis of the particulate matter in conventional cigarette smoke and heated tobacco product aerosols

The particulate and soluble matter present in aerosols from combustible cigarettes (CCs) and Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) was collected in liquid water. These liquids, yellowish in the experiments with cigarettes and colourless after using HTPs, were analysed by Laser Diffraction (LD) and by Transmission Electron Microscopy coupled to Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX) to study the amount, size, composition, and other features of the particulate matter (PM) present in the collected aerosols.The particulate matter concentration in HTPs samples is below the limit of quantification for LD, and only samples from cigarettes show a particulate matter concentration above such limit. TEM analysis has revealed that the liquid samples (from both, cigarettes and HTPs experiments) contain particulate matter, mainly composed of carbon (C) and oxygen (O), but also of traces of inorganic elements. The TEM electron beam results in the evaporation of the particulate matter derived from HTPs, but not of that derived from cigarettes, highlighting the different nature of the particulate matter in both systems, i.e. liquid particulate matter present in the HTPs aerosols and solid particulate matter in the cigarettes smoke. A protocol for the quantitative comparison of the particulate matter present in aerosols has been applied over sixteen TEM images for each sample, confirming important differences from the point of view of the amount of particulate matter and particle size ranges. Thus, the amount of particulate matter for HTPs aerosol samples is more than one order of magnitude lower than for cigarettes smoke.

Study on the key factors affecting the aerosol release characteristics of closed-ended heated tobacco products: 1. Heating temperature

Two Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) with different airflow pathways were tested in this study to give insight into the aerosol formation and transfer. One permit the puffing air to flow through the tobacco rod and known as the open-ended system, while the other one sealed the tobacco rod and known as the closed-ended system. Results showed that in both systems, with the heating temperature rising, the aerosol transfer rates of nicotine, 1,2-propylene glycol (PG), and glycerol (VG) increased linearly, meanwhile the residual rates in the tobacco section decreased exponentially. In particular, lower residual rates of nicotine and PG were observed in the closed-ended system compared to open-ended system from 200 to 300 ℃, indicating a higher releasing efficiency in close-ended system. However, higher aerosol transfer rates of nicotine in the closed-ended system were noted merely among 200–260 ℃. Additionally, the transfer rates for PG remained basically the same in both systems. For nicotine, the closed-ended system exhibited lower retention rates between 200 and 240 ℃, but reversed between 260 and 300 ℃. Furthermore, the closed-ended system showed significantly higher retention rates for PG compared to the open-ended system from 200 to 300 ℃. Regarding puff-by-puff aerosol release pattern, both systems showed similar trend of increase-decrease for the same key component at identical temperature. While the single-puff release amount differed between them, for example, 3.8 mg for close-ended and 3.0 mg for open-ended of water at the second puff. Furthermore, apparent release kinetics parameters were obtained based on the first-order reaction kinetic model and the Arrhenius Equation. In the closed-ended system, lower activation energy of nicotine (26.255 KJ·mol−1 compared to 34.896 KJ·mol−1 in open-ended) resulted in lower activation energy barrier, and therefore a more efficient release and transfer rate for nicotine.

A 90-day subchronic exposure to heated tobacco product aerosol caused differences in intestinal inflammation and microbiome dysregulation in rats.

Smoking is one of the most important predisposing factors of intestinal inflammatory diseases. Heated tobacco product (HTP) is a novel tobacco category that is claimed to deliver reduced chemicals to human those reported in combustible cigarette smoke (CS). However, the effect of HTP on intestine is still unknown. In the framework of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines 413 guidelines, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to HTP aerosol and CS for 13 weeks. The atmosphere was characterized and oxidative stress and inflammation of intestine were investigated after exposure. Furthermore, the faeces we performed with 16S sequencing and metabolomics analysis. HTP aerosol and CS led to obvious intestinal damage evidenced by increased intestinal pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in male and female rats After HTP and CS exposure, the abundance that obviously changed were Lactobacillus and Turiciacter in male rats and Lactobacillus and Prevotella in female rats. HTP mainly induced the metabolism of amino acids and fatty acyls such as short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan, while CS involved into the main metabolism of bile acids, especially indole and derivatives. Although different metabolic pathways in the gut mediated by HTP and CS, both to inflammation and oxidative stress were ultimately induced. HTP aerosol and CS induced intestinal damage mediated by different gut microbiota and metabolites, while both lead to inflammation and oxidative stress. The concentration of various harmful components in heated tobacco product aerosol is reported lower than that of traditional cigarette smoke, however, its health risk impact on consumers remains to be studied. Our research findings indicate that heated tobacco product and cigarette smoke inhalation induced intestinal damage through different metabolic pathways mediated by gut microbiome, indicating the health risk of heated tobacco product in intestine.

Impact of Heating Conventional Cigarettes with a Novel Device on Health-related Biomarkers and Cigarette Use Patterns among Chinese Adult Smokers Unwilling to Quit: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

We evaluated the impact of heating conventional cigarettes with a novel heated tobacco product (HTP) device on biomarkers and cigarette use patterns in Chinese adult smokers unwilling to quit smoking. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, 50 eligible participants were allocated to either Control group (smoking conventional cigarettes) or HTP device group (switching to using heated conventional cigarettes by the HTP device). Participants in the HTP device group went through a 2-day run-in period then used heated conventional cigarettes exclusively for 5 days, followed by flexible use for 14 days. Five biomarkers of exposure (BoEs) were measured at baseline and on Day 7. Thirteen biomarkers of biological effect (BoBEs) were measured at baseline and on Day 21. Safety, daily cigarette consumption, craving, withdrawal symptoms, and device acceptability, were assessed. BoE levels decreased by 26.4 % to 71.4% from baseline in the HTP device group, while BoBE levels did not significantly change in either group. In the HTP group, 56% exclusively used heated conventional cigarettes during the flexible use period, experiencing reduced cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while dual users consumed more cigarettes. Mild to moderate device-related reactions were reported in 36% of users. Satisfaction, taste, and harm reduction belief scores averaged 7.4, 6.6, and 8.7 (out of 10), respectively. Switching to heated cigarettes with the HTP device may reduce short-term exposure to smoke toxicants. However, it can lead to increased tobacco use among dual users. Further investigation is needed to confirm these preliminary findings. This study is the first to evaluate the impact of heating conventional cigarettes with a novel heated tobacco product (HTP) device on health-related biomarkers and cigarette use patterns among Chinese adult smokers. This novel HTP device can directly heat conventional cigarettes without the necessity for specifically designed tobacco products, avoiding potential additive risks of traditional HTPs. If the results of this study could be further verified by randomized controlled clinical trials with larger sample sizes, this novel HTP device could serve as a short-term harm reduction alternative for smokers unwilling to quit.

Biosynthesized gold nanoparticles for enhanced determination of nicotine in heated tobacco products

An electrochemical sensor for nicotine determination in heated tobacco products (HTPs) was developed using biosynthesized AuNPs from Ceiba pentandra leaf extract. The biosynthesis process was optimized by investigating the effects of HauCl4 concentration, extract volume, reaction temperature, and time on the formation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The biosynthesized AuNPs were characterized using various techniques, confirming their crystallinity, spherical morphology, and uniform size distribution with an average diameter of 19.8 ± 3.6 nm. The AuNP modified glassy carbon electrode (AuNP/GCE) exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance compared to the bare GCE, facilitating efficient oxidation of nicotine. The AuNP/GCE sensor demonstrated a wide linear range of 0.02–280 µmol L−1 and a low limit of detection of 0.01 µmol L−1 for nicotine determination. The sensor showed excellent selectivity towards nicotine in the presence of common interfering substances, with negligible responses (<5 % change) to uric acid, paracetamol, glucose, melamine, L-cysteine, and dopamine. The AuNP/GCE sensor's applicability was validated by analyzing nicotine levels in real HTP samples, with excellent recovery rates (97.6–102.4 %) and good agreement with the HPLC (R2 = 0.998). The biosynthesized AuNP-based electrochemical sensor offers a rapid, sensitive, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach for nicotine determination in HTPs, providing a valuable tool for quality control and regulatory purposes.

Harm Reduction in Tobaccoism : What Does the Scientific Evidence Say?

Smoking is considered a chronic disease caused by chemical dependence of nicotine. This is highly addicting, it in the brain system it influences our emotions, increases the feeling of pleasure/humor and reduces the anxiety. In a planet with about 8 billion people, around 1,36 billion are smokers. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the world, around 8 million people die every year. A global public health problem, and those who smoke are vulnerable to 50 tobacco-related diseases, several kinds of cancer, lung diseases, cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction, female infertility and pregnancy complications. In 2020, according to data from the World Health Organization, 22,3% of the world population consumed tobacco, 36,7% of men and 7,8%of women. In Brazil, due to policies implemented to smoking control, we had a significant drop in the of period (1989 to 2019) from 34,8% of smokers to 12,6% and in 2021, the total percentage of smokers age 18 or over was 9.1%. All forms of tobacco consumption are harmful to health and there is no safe level. Cigarette smoke 4.720 different toxic substances such as nicotine, irritants, tar and carbon monoxide. In the last 15 years, new heated tobacco devices have arrived on the market with promises of less harm to health. In 78 countries this products are available, including Japan, The United States, Canada, Portugal, Australia, Italy and The United Kingdom. As they do not cause tobacco combustion, they created significantly lower levels of toxic substances, which is the strongest arguments made by defenders of those products. A systematic review of the literature in 2018 on heated tobacco products identified 31 studies randomly and blind over those devices, 11 independent and 20 funded by the products manufacturers, needing further long-term research. Another systematic review (relevant studies from 2015 to February 2021), both “in vitro” as alive has shown that the benefits of heated tobacco are controversial and more research is needed to the short-and-long term health effects. Another large concern is that availability of these smokeless products may encourage cigarette consumption, especially among young people and often with the combined use of traditional cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

IQOS news media coverage in Israel: a comparison across three subpopulations.

Philip Morris International's (PMI) IQOS, a leading heated tobacco product globally, entered the Israeli market in 2016. IQOS and/or electronic cigarette use is higher in Israel's Arab population (2.8% vs 1.2% of Jews). However, previous research indicated possible targeting of the Ultra-orthodox Jewish population with more IQOS paid ads. This paper examined how IQOS is framed in news media articles directed at three subpopulations in Israel: Arab, Ultra-orthodox Jews and general public. Media articles (January-October 2020) were obtained from Ifat media and were coded using abductive coding. Characteristics of articles (photo and article content) targeting each subpopulation were compared using χ2, Fisher's exact test, one-way analysis of variance and median test, as appropriate. Of the 63 unique articles identified, 16 targeted Arab, 24 Ultra-orthodox Jews and 23 general public. Arab and Ultra-orthodox Jewish media significantly differed from the general public's media in their positive framing of PMI (100% Arab and 75% Ultra-orthodox Jews vs 52% general public, p=0.004), and IQOS (100% Arab and 88% Ultra-orthodox Jews vs 61% general public, p=0.006). Arab media differed from others by highlighting IQOS' retail locations (81% vs 17% Ultra-orthodox Jews and 13% general public), social benefits (88% vs 8% Ultra-orthodox Jews and 17% general public) and reflecting content from PMI's press release (100% vs 46% Ultra-orthodox Jews and 35% general public; ps <0.001). IQOS was framed more positively in media targeting minority populations (Arab and Ultra-orthodox Jews), compared with general public. Arabic media in particular emphasised IQOS' retail accessibility and social benefits. These findings highlight the need for media surveillance and regulation, especially of minority-oriented media.

Benchmarking a universal smoking machine adaptor for tobacco product testing

SignificanceCharacterisation of tobacco product emissions is an important step in assessing their impact on public health. Accurate and repeatable emissions data require that a leak-tight seal be made between the...