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.



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.

How Many Nicotine Pouch Factories Does Europe Need? 2Firsts Interviews AIRSCREAM on the OEM Market
How Many Nicotine Pouch Factories Does Europe Need? 2Firsts Interviews AIRSCREAM on the OEM Market
At InterTabac 2026, nicotine pouch growth was visible not only in brands but across equipment, raw materials and OEM manufacturing. 2Firsts interviewed AIRSCREAM commercial head Steve Moore on how many pouch factories Europe may ultimately need and where manufacturers can differentiate, from formulation and flavour to pouch materials, production consistency and customer service. The category continues to expand, but questions remain over future capacity, consolidation and the long-term structure of the supply chain.
Sep.18
Product | SMOORE's VAPORESSO Introduces VAST Refillable Vape With Three Resistances in One Pod
Product | SMOORE's VAPORESSO Introduces VAST Refillable Vape With Three Resistances in One Pod
SMOORE-owned vaping brand VAPORESSO introduced the VAST refillable open-system vape in October 2026, featuring Tri-Core Mesh technology that integrates three resistance configurations—0.8Ω, 0.6Ω and 0.4Ω—within a single pod. The device supports different operating modes and e-liquid types. The standard version features a 10mL pod, while a TPD-labelled configuration combines a 2mL pod with an 8mL refill container. The device has a 1,600mAh battery and a maximum output of 30W. VAPORESSO claims up to six pod refills and a tested coil lifespan of up to 150,000 puffs. The UK's MHRA published a related device notification on October 12. The official MSRP is $25.90, compared with a $35.90 listing on VAPORESSO's direct store.
product
Oct.30
Turning Point Brands Q3 Modern Oral Net Sales Rise 103% to $74.4 Million as Attributable Profit Falls 81%
Turning Point Brands Q3 Modern Oral Net Sales Rise 103% to $74.4 Million as Attributable Profit Falls 81%
Turning Point Brands (TPB) reported third-quarter 2026 Modern Oral net sales of $74.4 million on November 9, up 102.9% year over year and representing 49.2% of consolidated net sales. Total company net sales rose 27.0% to $151.1 million, while net income attributable to TPB declined 81.4% to $3.93 million. The company is expanding the US retail presence of its FRE and ALP nicotine pouch brands and expects its Modern Oral chain-store footprint to grow by more than 70% during 2026. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 69.1% to $75.3 million, while PMTA-related expenses reached approximately $3.15 million and manufacturing start-up costs totaled about $593,000. ALP plans to open a branded pop-up in New York City's SoHo neighborhood on November 13, alongside a marketing campaign extending into January 2027. TPB owns 50% of ALP but consolidates the venture in its financial statements.
company
Nov.11
PMI Launches Fourth IQOS Convenience-Store Discount of 2026 for Black Friday in Japan, Cutting ILUMA i ONE to About $19 After Ploom AURA Fell to About $9
PMI Launches Fourth IQOS Convenience-Store Discount of 2026 for Black Friday in Japan, Cutting ILUMA i ONE to About $19 After Ploom AURA Fell to About $9
Philip Morris Japan launched its fourth confirmed nationwide convenience-store discount campaign for IQOS ILUMA i devices in 2026 on October 26, cutting three models by as much as ¥2,000, or about $12.70. The campaign began one day after JT ended a promotion that reduced Ploom AURA to ¥1,480, or about $9.40. JT says Ploom's share of Japan's heated-products category rose from 10.9% in January 2024 to 18.3% in June 2026, a gain of 7.4 percentage points, while PMI says IQOS still held about 68% category share in the third quarter. At the same time, Japan's two-stage heated-tobacco tax adjustment has pushed stick prices higher, leaving device discounts as an increasingly important tool for lowering the upfront cost of customer acquisition.
Market
Oct.28
IKE Tech Launches IKE 2.0 Compliance Platform for Nicotine Products
IKE Tech Launches IKE 2.0 Compliance Platform for Nicotine Products
IKE Tech launched IKE 2.0 on September 28, initially targeting nicotine products with a platform that combines user identity verification, product authentication, configurable policy controls and data analytics. Products can be authenticated through direct device integration or NFC smart tags. IKE Tech was formed with participation from Ispire's Aspire North America, Berify and Chemular, with Ispire currently holding a 40% interest. Its age-verification component PMTA was accepted by the FDA in 2025 and remains under review. The company did not disclose customer names, commercial deployment volumes, pricing or revenue tied to IKE 2.0.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Product | PMI Launches ZYN Melts in UK, Extending ZYN Beyond Nicotine Pouches Into Dissolvable Tablets
Product | PMI Launches ZYN Melts in UK, Extending ZYN Beyond Nicotine Pouches Into Dissolvable Tablets
Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched ZYN Melts in the UK, introducing a fully dissolvable oral nicotine tablet format alongside the brand's existing nicotine pouches. The range includes Cool Mint and Peppermint, each offered at 1mg and 2mg of nicotine per tablet, creating four SKUs. Each can contains 20 tablets and is priced at £6.50 in the UK. Unlike ZYN nicotine pouches, Melts are placed between the upper lip and gum and dissolve completely during use.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives