Cochrane Lab Reports on Harm Reduction in Heated Tobacco Products

Jul.30.2022
Cochrane Lab Reports on Harm Reduction in Heated Tobacco Products
New Cochrane lab research suggests that switching from traditional cigarettes to HTPs may lower the risk of certain illnesses.

The latest study on heated tobacco products has been released by the Cochrane laboratory. The report follows standard Cochrane screening and data extraction methods, and the majority of the data from the study suggests that harmful substance exposure associated with cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues is lower with HTP compared to traditional cigarettes. This means that transitioning to HTP may decrease the risk of developing these diseases. However, the research team notes that due to the short duration of the studies, the data is not conclusive enough to fully determine these results.


Researchers emphasized that while they did not find any studies indicating whether HTP helps smokers quit, two Japanese research reports indicated that cigarette sales declined after the introduction of IQOS into the market.


In fact, during a recent online seminar with Kumamaru Hiroya, the Deputy Director of Kawasaki AOI General Hospital, it was stated that while nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as nicotine patches, has not produced the expected results, HTP has. Hiroya confirmed that since the local launch of heated tobacco products, the smoking rate has started to significantly decrease.


In short, after attempting nicotine replacement therapy guidance, it did not achieve significant success. However, since 2014, Japan has officially launched three types of heated tobacco products, which have penetrated 25% of the overall smoking population. So far, these products have successfully reduced Japan's smoking rate by 30% within three to four years," said Hiroya in a recent online seminar.


HTP's Aerosol Particles


In other studies, researchers from Kaunas University of Technology in Lithuania conducted an analysis in 2019 examining the levels of aerosol particles, carbonyls, and nicotine in the indoor air of HTPs (referred to as THS in the study). They compared the indoor concentrations of substances such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzene, toluene, nicotine, and particulate matter 2.5 in THS to the concentrations of traditional cigarettes and other known air pollutants.


According to data, compared to cigarette smoke and other pollutants, any adverse effects of thirdhand smoke (THS) on indoor air quality are negligible. "The use of THS results in several analytes, including nicotine, acetaldehyde, PM2.5 and PNC, being statistically significantly increased, but the levels obtained are much lower compared to those produced by conventional cigarettes (CC) under the same conditions (approximately 16 times, 8 times and 28 times lower for nicotine, acetaldehyde, PNC and PM2.5, respectively).


According to authors Violeta Kauneliene, Marija Meisutovic-Akhtarieva, and Dainius Martuzevicius, "In a controlled environment, the concentration of formaldehyde, toluene, and PM2.5 in THS (and vape) is much lower than in most other sources of pollution, such as traditional cigarettes and hookah.


Click to view the original research report.


Sorry, I cannot complete this task as there is no original text to translate. Please provide the original text to be translated.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Reform Drives Price Increase as JT Raises All Ploom Sticks by ¥40
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Reform Drives Price Increase as JT Raises All Ploom Sticks by ¥40
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has applied to Japan’s finance minister for approval to revise retail prices of its Ploom heated tobacco sticks following planned changes to the heated tobacco tax system from October 1, 2026. If approved, all 31 Ploom stick products will increase by ¥40. After the adjustment, EVO products will cost ¥620 per 20-stick pack, MEVIUS products ¥590 and CAMEL products ¥570. JT said the price revision is intended to respond to tax changes while maintaining product quality and brand value. The tax reform is expected to narrow the tax gap between combustible cigarettes and heated tobacco products, potentially reshaping pricing strategies in Japan’s heated tobacco market.
Jul.22
BAT Calls for Retailer Input in Future Nicotine Regulations
BAT Calls for Retailer Input in Future Nicotine Regulations
British American Tobacco (BAT) has called for stronger retailer involvement in shaping future nicotine product regulations in the UK, arguing that frontline market feedback should be considered during policy development. BAT said retailers provide direct insight into consumer behavior, market changes and regulatory implementation challenges. The comments come as the UK nicotine market undergoes regulatory changes, including the disposable vape ban, Vaping Products Duty and efforts to address illicit vape sales.
Jul.29
Nevada Considers Nearly Doubling Tobacco Taxes, With $65 Million in New Revenue Expected From Expanded Nicotine Levies
Nevada Considers Nearly Doubling Tobacco Taxes, With $65 Million in New Revenue Expected From Expanded Nicotine Levies
Health groups in Nevada are urging lawmakers to nearly double the state cigarette tax and extend similar tax changes to other nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
Jul.17
Vietnam’s Vape Crackdown Expands From Ban Proposal to Grassroots Enforcement
Vietnam’s Vape Crackdown Expands From Ban Proposal to Grassroots Enforcement
Vietnam tightens e-cigarette rules. Health Ministry proposes banning production, trade, transport, storage, ads, promotion, sponsorship, and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and new products. Hanoi also urges residents to report illegal activities, showing enforcement moves from lawmaking to local action.
Jul.08
Research | Swedish Study Finds Oral Lesions in 79% of Examined Nicotine Pouch Users, With Distinct Tissue Responses
Research | Swedish Study Finds Oral Lesions in 79% of Examined Nicotine Pouch Users, With Distinct Tissue Responses
A new Swedish study found oral mucosal lesions in 79% of examined nicotine pouch users and 89% of tobacco-derived snus users, with different tissue-response patterns between the two categories. For manufacturers and regulators, the findings shift attention toward product formulation, flavouring, pouch materials and local oral exposure, not only whether a product contains tobacco. The study found no higher prevalence of caries or periodontal disease, but it could not establish causality, long-term outcomes or differences between individual products or designs.
Special Report
Jul.27
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
According to SGST on August 26, 2026, Australia’s Coalition Illegal Tobacco Taskforce released a report recommending an up to 80% cut in tobacco excise to reduce the appeal of the illicit tobacco market. The report claimed organised crime groups now control about 80% of Australia’s tobacco market and argued that high excise rates have widened the price gap between legal and illegal products. The recommendation remains a policy proposal and has not been adopted by the Australian government, which said its focus remains on enforcement, compliance and additional resources.
Aug.27