The author of a new study published in "Tobacco Control" stated that the existing evidence regarding heated tobacco products (HTP) is not convincing and policymakers should be cautious about claims of their harm reduction capabilities.
In recent years, there has been growing popularity of HTP, with supporters insisting that they pose less harm to health than traditional cigarettes. However, researchers at the University of Bath suggest that the evidence supporting these claims is largely not representative of real-world use and carries a high risk of bias.
Researchers analyzing 40 publicly available HTP (heated tobacco product) clinical trials, 29 of which were affiliated or funded by the tobacco industry, have determined that the majority of these trials carry a high risk of bias due to the methods and study designs chosen.
The most common reason for the high risk of bias in research is performance bias, where both the participants and those conducting the tests are aware of the assigned intervention measures. There is also a lack of reporting all data for all trial measurements, known as selective reporting bias.
The author believes that the presence of these biases could undermine the validity of the experiment and potentially lead to an overestimation of the effects of HTP. Additionally, they identified further limitations within the experiment, including short duration, restrictive conditions that do not reflect real-life situations, and a lack of relevant comparators such as e-cigarettes.
The tobacco control research group in Bath has stated that more detailed independent research is necessary to evaluate the short and long-term health impacts of HTP.
At the same time, they believe that consumers should be cautious of claims that reduce harm, and that policy makers and regulatory agencies should carefully consider the usefulness of these trials when making decisions regarding HTP.
In recent years, we have seen a significant expansion of the heated tobacco market in the UK and around the world. This growth is based on a marketing campaign that promotes these products as being healthier than traditional cigarettes," said Sophie Braznell, Chief Researcher at the Bath Department of Health.
Our analysis indicates that the situation is far from clear. Clinical trials that the tobacco industry uses to substantiate these claims are often inadequate in terms of study design and reporting, and most are somehow connected to the industry.
As more and more consumers switch from cigarettes to these new generation products, we need better evidence to evaluate their current and future health impacts. Meanwhile, the jury remains very attentive to their interests.
The research findings related to clinical trials of heated tobacco products are significant, and we need to be cautious about health claims," said Gemma Taylor, co-author of the study and member of the Addiction and Mental Health Group and Psychology Department at the University of Bath.
However, it is important to note the clear distinction between "heated tobacco products" and "electronic cigarettes." Consumers and health policymakers must not equate the potential benefits of electronic cigarettes in assisting people to quit smoking with heated tobacco products.
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