The Benefits and Risks of Smokeless Tobacco Products

Sep.06.2022
The Benefits and Risks of Smokeless Tobacco Products
Phillip Morris promotes non-combustible products as a safer alternative to smoking, backed by scientific evidence.

Smokers understand that smoking is harmful. However, data shows that most people are unaware that the primary issue with smoking is the smoke itself. When a cigarette is lit, it reaches high temperatures and the smoke produced from burning tobacco contains approximately 6,000 chemical compounds.


Approximately 100 substances have been identified by recognized public health authorities as harmful or potentially harmful. The high levels of these chemicals in cigarette smoke are the primary cause of smoking-related illnesses.


Innovation choice.


Innovative alternatives that eliminate combustion can release nicotine without producing smoke or ashes. While these products are still easily addictive and not without risks, they have the potential to significantly reduce the average levels of harmful chemicals compared to traditional cigarettes.


An independent study conducted by PMI has shown that 43% of respondents are confused by smoke-free products they have seen, read about or heard about. However, 76% of smokers would consider switching to less harmful alternatives if more information was available.


A woman snapped a cigarette in half. Source: PIXABAY new regulations.


In recent years, the market has seen an influx of new types of tobacco and nicotine products. Advances in technology and science have made it possible to develop smoke-free options, which while not without risk, may be a safer alternative for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke traditional cigarettes.


More and more countries have implemented regulations on the use and distribution of alternative tobacco products that differ from traditional cigarettes. This allows adult smokers to transition to these product categories instead of continuing to smoke. Examples of such countries include the United States, Sweden, Japan, and the United Kingdom, which have also established very strict regulations on the use of traditional cigarettes.


Heating, non-burning products and non-flammable products do not produce smoke, which actually carries harmful substances that can cause tobacco-related diseases.


These products heat tobacco without burning it, significantly reducing the production of harmful chemicals. This innovative technology is backed by scientific evidence and marketing that differentiates and regulates such products can help adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke traditional cigarettes to switch to these alternatives and reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals.


The Power of Nicotine


Nicotine naturally occurs in tobacco leaves. This is one of the reasons why people smoke, besides factors such as taste and ritual. However, nicotine is not without risks, and can be addictive. Nevertheless, the primary cause of smoking-related diseases is the smoke, not the nicotine itself.


There are nine million smokers in Spain.


How do we address the over 1.3 billion smokers worldwide, with almost 9 million in Spain? Adult smokers who will continue to smoke should be treated in such a way that they are provided with accurate information based on scientific evidence, allowing them to make informed decisions.


Tar


One of the most harmful elements in cigarette smoke is known as "tar," which is not the same as the substance used for paving roads as some people mistakenly believe. Tar is a term used to refer to the thousands of chemicals released in cigarette smoke.


Two options


The best choice for adult smokers is to completely quit the use of tobacco and/or nicotine products.


However, as mentioned above, many of them will continue to smoke, which is the most harmful form of tobacco use.


In this situation, an increasing number of health authorities are recommending smoke-free products as a better choice for these consumers.


There are essentially two categories of products:


Electronic cigarettes use the energy from batteries to heat liquid containing nicotine and produce vapor, hence the term "vape". Additionally, they contain other substances such as propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorings, and other additives.


Heating tobacco products, used in conjunction with electronic devices, heats the tobacco without burning it, creating an aerosol instead of smoke.


Fake news.


According to the Unsmoke 2020 study conducted in collaboration with independent advisors Bovado and Phillip Morris, the smoking population in Spain is a victim of certain misconceptions about these products, and is unaware that non-combustible alternatives can help reduce smoking.


Half of the survey respondents indicated that the information they receive about e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products is contradictory or unclear. Meanwhile, 72% of those surveyed believe that authorities should allocate resources towards achieving the goal of providing scientifically verified new alternatives to help people quit smoking.


If they had more information about the differences between these alternative products and traditional cigarettes, even eight out of ten people would consider switching to them.


Philip Morris' bet


In summary, studies have confirmed that harmful substances generated from the burning of tobacco and cigarette smoke are the main causes of tobacco-related illnesses. For this reason, Philip Morris is committed to gradually replacing cigarettes with innovative smoke-free products.


Philip Morris is leading the paradigm shift in the industry, having spent over a decade researching and developing verified alternatives to traditional cigarettes. Since then, the company has been dedicated to developing and studying innovative non-combustible products that may be less harmful than traditional cigarettes.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry communication and learning purposes only.


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


Due to limitations in translation ability, the translated article may not fully express the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign-related statements and positions.


The copyrights of the compiled information belong to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.


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.

Spain’s PSOE files motion to curb vaping and nicotine pouches, restricting sales channels and banning online sales
Spain’s PSOE files motion to curb vaping and nicotine pouches, restricting sales channels and banning online sales
Spain’s Socialist Party (PSOE) has registered a non-legislative motion (PNL) in Congress seeking to curb the use of vapes and nicotine pouches by restricting sales to authorised channels and banning sales online and in non-specialist shops. The proposal says the current “lack of control” in commercialisation facilitates tax evasion and breaches existing health and environmental rules.
Mar.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Pakistan Senate health panel weighs possible vape ban
Pakistan Senate health panel weighs possible vape ban
Sources say Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Health is deliberating whether to impose a ban on vaping products, after holding a meeting on the health implications of vaping and the rising use of e-cigarettes nationwide.
Mar.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK’s North Yorkshire Council plans up to £477,000 spend on e-cigarettes to support quitting smoking
UK’s North Yorkshire Council plans up to £477,000 spend on e-cigarettes to support quitting smoking
North Yorkshire Council in the UK is set to spend up to £477,000 on e-cigarettes to support residents quitting smoking. Since e-cigarettes were added to the council’s Living Well Smokefree service in July 2023, 487 people have used them to quit, with about a third remaining smoke-free after a year.
Mar.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
22nd Century Positions VLN® Cigarettes for Growth as FDA Considers 0.7 mg/g Nicotine Cap
22nd Century Positions VLN® Cigarettes for Growth as FDA Considers 0.7 mg/g Nicotine Cap
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) reported early commercial momentum for its FDA-authorized VLN® very low nicotine cigarettes, distributing approximately 8,800 cartons across 1,700 new U.S. retail outlets in the fourth quarter of 2025, while forecasting expansion to more than 5,000 retail points in 2026.
Business
Feb.24
France’s HAS to Address Role of E-Cigarettes in Updated Smoking-Cessation Guidelines, Tells 2Firsts
France’s HAS to Address Role of E-Cigarettes in Updated Smoking-Cessation Guidelines, Tells 2Firsts
2Firsts has learned that France’s national health authority, the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS), confirmed the role of e-cigarettes will be addressed in updated national smoking-cessation guidelines expected by the end of 2026. HAS said the recommendations will focus on clinical and public-health considerations, will not set technical standards for vaping products, and that current studies are insufficient to clearly assess risks and benefits across different product categories.
Mar.10
Research Summary | NHANES Study: Smoking or E-Cigarette Use Linked to Higher Prevalence of Elevated Blood Pressure and Hypertension
Research Summary | NHANES Study: Smoking or E-Cigarette Use Linked to Higher Prevalence of Elevated Blood Pressure and Hypertension
A cross-sectional analysis based on the US NHANES 2021–2023 cycle, including 6,262 participants aged over 12, found that compared with people who neither smoke nor vape, those who smoke and/or use e-cigarettes had a higher prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension. After full adjustment, smoking/vaping was associated with elevated blood pressure (aOR 1.34) and hypertension (aOR 1.46), and with a 1.05 mmHg higher diastolic blood pressure.
Feb.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai