The Importance of Evidenced-Based Debate on E-Cigarettes

Aug.30.2022
The Importance of Evidenced-Based Debate on E-Cigarettes
eSmoking Institute highlights importance of evidence-based discussions on reducing harm and promoting safer e-cigarettes for smokers.

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.


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 of this article. The translation of this article is only intended for industry communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in the level of translation, the compiled article may not fully express the content of the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign statements or positions.


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

Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched the IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Ginza Limited Model Set in Tokyo on September 4, 2026, alongside the opening of IQOS Flagship Ginza, the brand’s first global flagship store. The Oasis Blue edition is limited to 1,814 individually numbered units, with the figure derived from the store’s address at Ginza 1-8-14. The set also includes two Yamanaka-nuri glasses and special packaging, priced at JPY 11,980 and sold exclusively at the Ginza flagship.
Sep.07
Couche-Tard Posts Double-Digit U.S. Same-Store Growth in Other Nicotine Products, Led by Pouches
Couche-Tard Posts Double-Digit U.S. Same-Store Growth in Other Nicotine Products, Led by Pouches
Alimentation Couche-Tard said U.S. same-store sales in its “other nicotine products” category grew at a double-digit rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, led by nicotine pouches, while overall U.S. same-store merchandise revenues increased 1.7%. The company also said its Canadian nicotine business continued to face regulatory pressure and illicit-market headwinds. The U.S. performance coincides with Couche-Tard's participation in efforts to reopen Canadian convenience-store access to authorized nicotine pouches, though the company has not established a direct causal link between the two.
Sep.14
Philip Morris Malaysia Again Meets Religious Authority Over Cigarette Alternatives as Perlis Mufti Responds on Halal Criteria
Philip Morris Malaysia Again Meets Religious Authority Over Cigarette Alternatives as Perlis Mufti Responds on Halal Criteria
Philip Morris Malaysia Managing Director Naeem Shahab Khan met Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin on September 17 and presented the company's shift from conventional cigarettes toward alternative products. The mufti said a product could be considered halal if it is clean, its side effects are not harmful or can be controlled, and it does not involve excessive waste. His remarks did not mention IQOS or any other specific PMI product and did not amount to a new product-specific religious ruling. It was at least the second publicly reported engagement between Philip Morris Malaysia and a Malaysian religious institution over cigarette alternatives within six months.
Regulations
Sep.18 by 2Firsts Perspectives
South Korea Imports 12,126 Kg of Nicotine Analogues From April to August After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea Imports 12,126 Kg of Nicotine Analogues From April to August After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea's liquid-vape market is showing changes across raw-material imports, product types and sales channels after synthetic nicotine came under the Tobacco Business Act on April 24. Customs data show nicotine-analogue imports totaled 12,126 kilograms from April through August, while synthetic-nicotine imports over the same five months totaled 231,663 kilograms, just 39.3% of the amount imported in March alone. Physical liquid-vape stores tracked in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province fell 9.9%, unmanned outlets edged higher and online sales listings increased from 27,774 to 42,437. Government testing of 105 liquid inhalation products promoted as nicotine-free separately found nicotine in 13 and 6-methylnicotine in 12.
Sep.22
Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches Two TEREA ONYX Capsule Tobacco Sticks, Expanding Portfolio to Five Lines
Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches Two TEREA ONYX Capsule Tobacco Sticks, Expanding Portfolio to Five Lines
Philip Morris Korea launched TEREA ONYX, a new tobacco stick line for IQOS ILUMA devices, on October 15, 2026. The initial products, AMANG PEARL and CALI PEARL, feature tropical-inspired flavors, Fresh Filters and capsules designed to deliver different flavor experiences before and after activation. Both are priced at KRW 4,800 per pack and are available at convenience stores nationwide and IQOS-operated stores in South Korea. The launch expands the Korean TEREA portfolio from four product lines to five, following earlier capsule tobacco stick additions in 2026.
product
Oct.23
U.S. Health Groups Seek to Overturn FDA Enforcement Discretion for Pending PMTAs as Altria's Helix, NJOY and AVM Move to Intervene
U.S. Health Groups Seek to Overturn FDA Enforcement Discretion for Pending PMTAs as Altria's Helix, NJOY and AVM Move to Intervene
American Vapor Manufacturers (AVM) and Altria subsidiaries Helix Innovations and NJOY filed separate motions on October 7, 2026, seeking to intervene on the FDA's side in a lawsuit challenging its enforcement guidance for certain e-cigarette and nicotine pouch products with pending premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs). Seven public health and tobacco-control organizations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, sued the agency in July to overturn the policy. AVM argues that vacating the guidance could disrupt orders, inventory, retail distribution and investments in regulatory submissions.
Regulations
Oct.09