According to a report from Naver News on July 16, the world's largest tobacco company, Philip Morris International, plans to reintroduce its HNB product "IQOS" in the United States. This has sparked widespread concern from American health organizations, who are seriously worried about the potential harm of e-cigarettes and are urging regulatory agencies to proceed with caution in approving these products.
Six health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Lung Association, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, have sent a letter of protest to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressing concerns about the re-entry of IQOS e-cigarettes to the market. These organizations point out that despite claims from Philip Morris International that IQOS helps with smoking cessation, existing evidence shows that the product is not as effective in helping people quit smoking as advertised.
The protest letter mentioned that Philip Morris International has repeatedly made potentially misleading statements that led the public to believe that the FDA had confirmed that IQOS can reduce the risk of illness. Additionally, the letter pointed out that the implication that IQOS is less harmful than traditional cigarettes violates FDA regulations. Furthermore, the health organizations stated that Philip Morris International's claims that IQOS can prompt a large number of traditional smokers to switch to e-cigarettes lack factual basis. They cited research data from the International Tobacco Control Project (ITC) at the University of Waterloo in Canada, showing that the smoking cessation rates for IQOS users in South Korea and Japan are 30% and 15%, respectively, far below the 70% claimed by Philip Morris International.
In response, Philip Morris International stated that the company always abides by relevant laws and regulations when discussing science and products, and insists that their statements comply with FDA regulations. The FDA had approved the sale of the older version of IQOS by Philip Morris International in 2019, but later issued a "risk modification" order requiring the company to improve the product to reduce emissions of harmful chemicals. Last year, Philip Morris International applied to introduce the latest modified version of IQOS, but the FDA has not yet made a decision on whether to approve its market release.
Notice
1. This article is provided exclusively for professional research purposes related to industry, technology and policy. Any reference to brands or products is made solely for the purpose of objective description and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of any brand or product.
2. The use of nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, is associated with significant health risks. Users are required to comply with all relevant laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is strictly restricted from being accessed or viewed by individuals under the legal age.
Copyright
This article is either an original work by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with the original source clearly indicated. The copyright and usage rights of this article belong to 2Firsts or the original source. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other unauthorized use of this article by any entity or individual is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally responsible. For copyright-related matters, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have utilized AI to enhance translation and editing efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, errors may occur. Readers are advised to refer to the sources provided for more accurate information.
This article should not be used as a basis for any investment decisions or advice, and 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any errors in the content.
