The Importance of Evidenced-Based Debate on E-Cigarettes

In public discourse, there is an increasing discussion around reducing the health damages associated with smoking, and further research confirms that approximately 95% of e-cigarettes are less toxic than traditional cigarettes, and may assist with smoking cessation.

Marcin Kozłowski, a member of the management board of the eSmoking Institute, a professional research and development center located in Poznan, emphasized the importance of using modern research techniques for reliable, evidence-based public debates. The institute has been dedicated to expanding its research field and has recently purchased equipment to support advanced technology development, including tools that allow for a wider range of testing of water content in nicotine liquids. The institute has also acquired a modern viscometer for dynamic viscosity testing, which will enable them to broaden the scope of their physical and chemical testing.

The head of eSI spoke about the institute's work, stating that their goal is to develop regulations and standards to help smokers better understand the products available in the market. This will further improve the safety of these products. They are also closely monitoring the research of other leading centers in this field. Most importantly, e-cigarette users can now identify that they are using verified, less harmful products and the institute is pleased that more and more people are gaining knowledge about these products.

Marcin Kozłowski is a member of the management board of the eSmoking Institute/Fot.

What is an electronic cigarette?

This is the idea behind the creation of the product, which does not contain tar substances that are known to cause many smoking-related diseases. It works like an inhaler, providing the body with nicotine through the process of evaporating a liquid (based on glycerin and propylene glycol). Therefore, no tobacco is burned, and the amount of toxic substances released in the aerosol compared to traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes is much lower. Clearly, electronic cigarettes are much less harmful than traditional cigarettes, as our research and independent international studies have shown. M. Kozłowski cited a report from the UK Public Health England, which concluded that 95% of the content in electronic cigarettes is tar-free and therefore less harmful compared to traditional cigarettes.

In this context, we often hear about "harm reduction." What exactly does that mean?

Against the backdrop of policies to reduce the harm caused by smoking, it is worth highlighting the role of electronic cigarettes. Some countries in the world, including New Zealand, the United States, and previously mentioned United Kingdom, have implemented policies suggesting that smokers who are unable to quit should switch to the less harmful alternative of electronic cigarettes, even in the form of prescriptions. Surprisingly, this has yielded impressive results. For instance, research conducted in the United Kingdom shows that as many as 52% of its 3.2 million adult electronic cigarette users have quit smoking. Conversely, Spain reports that nine out of ten electronic cigarette users in their country have either completely quit or significantly reduced their nicotine intake. Therefore we have increasingly strong reasons to believe that policies aimed at reducing harm will produce extremely positive results. However, it should be remembered that the products we use must be thoroughly tested.

What else should we know?

The electronic cigarette market offers a variety of options for users, including open or closed systems that only require the replacement of liquid cartridges, such as the Vuse ePod. In my opinion, it is important that we ensure consumers are unable to alter any aspect of the product, so that it can be thoroughly reviewed for its final formulation and ingredients. If we choose to use open systems, only single-use liquids should be permitted. The concept of the finished product would involve providing a substance that is constrained by the entire testing system with regards to its final formulation.

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