The author of a new study published in "Tobacco Control" has stated that the quality of existing evidence regarding heated tobacco products (HTPs) is insufficient and policymakers should be cautious about claims of harm reduction.
In recent years, HTPs have become popular and supporters insist that they pose less harm to health than traditional cigarettes. However, researchers from the University of Bath argue that the evidence supporting these claims largely fails to account for real-world usage and is subject to a high risk of bias.
In their analysis of 40 publicly disclosed HTP clinical trials, 29 of which were affiliated with or sponsored by the tobacco industry, researchers determined that the majority of existing clinical trials have a "high risk of bias" based on their methods and study design.
The most common reason for research to be at high risk of bias is performance bias, which occurs when participants and those conducting the test are aware of the intervention measures being assigned. Additionally, failure to report all result data from the trial measurements is a flaw known as selective reporting bias.
The author believes that the existence of biases has damaged the validity of the experiment, which may lead to an overestimation of the effectiveness of HTP. They also found further limitations in the experiment, including a short duration, restrictive conditions that do not reflect real-world situations, and a lack of relevant comparators, such as e-cigarettes.
The tobacco control research group in Bath says that more detailed independent studies are necessary to evaluate the short and long-term health effects of HTPs.
At the same time, they believe that consumers should be wary of claims of harm reduction, and policymakers and regulators should carefully consider the role of these trials when making decisions surrounding HTPs.
In recent years, there has been significant development in the heated tobacco market in the UK and around the world. According to Sophie Braznell, Chief Researcher at Bath Health Authority, this growth is premised on the notion that these products are healthier than traditional cigarettes.
Our analysis indicates that the situation is far from clear. Clinical trials used by the tobacco industry to support these claims are often inadequate in terms of research methods and reporting, and most are somehow linked to the tobacco industry.
As more and more consumers are turning away from cigarettes and towards these new generation products, there is a need for better evidence to evaluate their current and future health impact. At the same time, the jury is still out on their potential benefits.
The findings related to clinical trials on heated tobacco products are very important, and we need to remain vigilant about the health claims made," added Gemma Taylor, a co-author of the research report from the Addiction and Mental Health Group and Department of Psychology at the University of Bath.
However, at the same time, it is important to note the clear distinction between "heated tobacco products" and "electronic cigarettes". Consumers and health policy makers must not equate the potential benefits of electronic cigarettes in helping people quit smoking with heated tobacco products.
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