Potential of E-Cigarettes to Improve Public Health: Expert Opinion

Sep.19.2022
Potential of E-Cigarettes to Improve Public Health: Expert Opinion
Tikki Pangestu believes e-cigarettes have potential to improve public health, citing data from independent UK studies.

Tikki Pangestu, a former director of policy research and cooperation at the World Health Organization, discussed the potential of e-cigarettes to improve public health. Professor Pangestu made a positive statement during an online discussion titled "Reducing Smoking Harm: Is it Possible to Reduce Tobacco Harm?


Professor Tikki Pang is currently a visiting professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. Prior to serving as Director of the World Health Organization, he was a professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and a biomedical professor at the University of Malaya.


In his academic career spanning 30 years, Professor Peng has published over 250 scientific articles and 12 books covering topics such as epidemiology, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, prevention of infectious diseases, biosafety, and dual-use research. He is recognized as an expert in public health both domestically and internationally.


According to Tikki Pang, there are still nearly 70 million smokers in his country, which has resulted in economic costs for the nation and significant socioeconomic burden for individuals.


He said, "From a public health and socio-economic perspective, this issue requires a strategic intervention and policy to reduce smoking rates in Indonesia.


Compared to products such as nicotine replacement therapy, interventions using products that promote harm reduction concepts are more effective for those who wish to quit smoking. This is a key strategy in addressing this highly complex issue. The products that result from technological advances and innovation have enormous potential.


Professor Peng cites facts and data from independent research in the UK to urge Indonesian lawmakers to accept electronic cigarettes, snus, and heated tobacco products.


The road to a healthier nation depends on the government ensuring that adult smokers have easy access to lesser harmful new nicotine products and that the information provided is accurate and truthful.


British cancer expert Peter Harper agrees with this. He commented, "You smoke to satisfy your need for nicotine, but you die from smoking. Quitting smoking immediately is one solution. However, current strategies are not effective. Innovative products provide solutions for those struggling to quit, while reducing the overall impact on well-being.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended solely for communication and learning within the industry.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the content. The translation of this article is only intended for industry exchange and research purposes.


Due to limitations in our translation abilities, the translated article may not perfectly reflect the original text. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


2FIRSTS holds the same views and positions as the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign-related statements and stances.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

France’s ANSES Report Reframes the Vape Debate: Harm Reduction Confirmed, Regulatory Barriers Rising
France’s ANSES Report Reframes the Vape Debate: Harm Reduction Confirmed, Regulatory Barriers Rising
France’s top health agency has confirmed that vaping is less harmful than smoking — but not risk-free — reshaping the country’s regulatory trajectory. As Paris withdraws a proposed vape tax and debates stricter ingredient, emissions and youth-protection rules, the ANSES report signals not prohibition, but tighter technical oversight. For manufacturers, retailers and EU policymakers, France may be previewing Europe’s next phase of nicotine governance.
Special Report
Feb.23
Vape Club: Over 1.3 Million Illegal E-Cigarettes Seized in UK by 2025, Worth £10 Million on Streets
Vape Club: Over 1.3 Million Illegal E-Cigarettes Seized in UK by 2025, Worth £10 Million on Streets
Vape Club report reveals 1.3 million illegal e-cigarettes seized in UK by 2025, worth £10 million on the streets.
Mar.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Military Smoking Debate Spotlights E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches as a “Bridge”
U.S. Military Smoking Debate Spotlights E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches as a “Bridge”
At a policy forum hosted by The Hill and sponsored by PMI US, U.S. defense health officials, lawmakers and industry representatives discussed tobacco use in the military and explored the potential role of smoke-free nicotine products — including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches — as transitional tools to help service members reduce reliance on combustible cigarettes.
PMI
Mar.23
PMTA Roundtable Opens with Industry Questioning Product Characterization Standards, FDA Defends Regulatory Boundaries
PMTA Roundtable Opens with Industry Questioning Product Characterization Standards, FDA Defends Regulatory Boundaries
At the opening of FDA’s PMTA roundtable, small ENDS manufacturers warned that unclear product characterization standards are limiting their ability to invest and raise capital. FDA officials acknowledged industry concerns but said regulatory flexibility is constrained by statutory and procedural boundaries.
Feb.11
BAT Japan to set up a VELO special booth at an outdoor culture market, showcasing a product launched on Feb. 2
BAT Japan to set up a VELO special booth at an outdoor culture market, showcasing a product launched on Feb. 2
BAT Japan announced it will support and sponsor the outdoor culture market “DIGGIN DEEP 2026 DAIKANYAMA,” held on March 7 and 8, 2026 at Daikanyama T-SITE, and will set up a special booth for the oral tobacco brand VELO at the venue. The booth will feature product displays and trial experiences, including the new product Velo Smooth Peppermint Medium, which went on sale on Feb. 2.
Mar.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Shanghai releases 2025 smoke-free white paper: smoking incidence at designated smoke-free venues falls to 12.6%
Shanghai releases 2025 smoke-free white paper: smoking incidence at designated smoke-free venues falls to 12.6%
Shanghai released its 2025 White Paper on Smoking Control in Public Places at a city tobacco control meeting on March 5. The paper reports a 12.6% smoking incidence in legally designated smoke-free venues, down 0.4 percentage points from 2024, and says 98.2% of residents support a full indoor smoking ban.
Mar.05