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.

Major U.S.  Vape Distributor Demand Vape Pays at Least $300,000 for White House Lobbying Amid Enforcement Pressure
Major U.S. Vape Distributor Demand Vape Pays at Least $300,000 for White House Lobbying Amid Enforcement Pressure
New York vape distributor Ecto World, which operates as Demand Vape, hired political consultant Roger Stone to lobby the Executive Office of the President on regulation of vaping and related products while facing state enforcement and multiple lawsuits. Public lobbying disclosures show that Ecto World paid at least $300,000 for the work through June 30, 2026. Separately, New York State announced in March that more than 28,500 pounds of vaping products tied to the company had been seized, while New York City and the state have pursued legal or enforcement actions. Public records do not show that the lobbying directly changed any specific regulatory or enforcement outcome.
Sep.08
GSTHR Estimates 200 Million People Use Non-Combustible Nicotine Products as 28 Countries Show Rising Use Alongside Falling Smoking Rates
GSTHR Estimates 200 Million People Use Non-Combustible Nicotine Products as 28 Countries Show Rising Use Alongside Falling Smoking Rates
The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction, a project operated by Knowledge·Action·Change, estimates that about 200 million people worldwide use non-combustible nicotine products including vapes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and snus. Its 2026 report says use of these products rose alongside declining smoking rates in 28 countries it analyzed. The data do not establish that all 200 million users have quit smoking, nor do they prove a direct causal relationship. GSTHR also says regulatory restrictions on the products continue to expand in many markets.
Sep.10
FDA Appoints Former Tobacco Enforcement Deputy Jessica Zeller as Director as Agency Weighs PMTA Framework Changes
FDA Appoints Former Tobacco Enforcement Deputy Jessica Zeller as Director as Agency Weighs PMTA Framework Changes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has named Jessica Zeller director of the Center for Tobacco Products' (CTP) Office of Compliance and Enforcement (OCE), effective November 1, 2026. Zeller, the office's inaugural deputy director, returns from medical device manufacturer Edwards Lifesciences with more than 20 years of regulatory and legal experience. The appointment follows CTP leadership changes and adjustments to tobacco regulation. Bret Koplow became permanent CTP director in September; the FDA revised enforcement priorities for unauthorized e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches in May and announced faster PMTA review procedures. On September 28, the agency said it would evaluate changes to the existing PMTA regulatory framework, including potential rulemaking to replace it.
FDA
Oct.20 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Smoke-Free Business Hits 42% of Q2 Net Revenue as PMI’s First TNFD Report Covers Single-Use Electronics, Critical Raw Materials and IQOS Repairs
Smoke-Free Business Hits 42% of Q2 Net Revenue as PMI’s First TNFD Report Covers Single-Use Electronics, Critical Raw Materials and IQOS Repairs
Philip Morris International has published its first report aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, bringing its electronics supply chain and the use and end-of-life stages of smoke-free devices and consumables into its nature-related assessment. PMI said its smoke-free business accounted for about 42% of total net revenues in the second quarter of 2026. The report says non-circular electronic products, particularly single-use items, can increase consumption of limited natural resources and also details an IQOS repair pilot. A 2040 circularity scenario tests assumptions including a 50% reduction in product waste-related costs, 10% raw-material savings and a 25% substitution rate for refurbished products versus new products.
Sep.23
Pennsylvania Lists 163 Vape Products Eligible for Sale, Including Vuse and JUUL; Previously Pending Chinese Brands Such as OXBAR Remain Absent, While Unlisted Products Including Geek Bar Face Enforcement From October 19
Pennsylvania Lists 163 Vape Products Eligible for Sale, Including Vuse and JUUL; Previously Pending Chinese Brands Such as OXBAR Remain Absent, While Unlisted Products Including Geek Bar Face Enforcement From October 19
Pennsylvania begins enforcing its electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) directory restrictions on October 19, 2026. The October 18 directory contained 163 product records from seven manufacturers, including Vuse, JUUL, NJOY, Logic and Naked 100. Geek Bar, RAZ and Lost Mary were absent. BAT, Altria, Japan Tobacco and JUUL collectively accounted for 112 records, or 68.7%, while Imperial Brands' blu had no listings. The directory included 15 disposable vape records, 40 bottled e-liquids and 10 products labeled 0mg, but no open-system refillable devices. Twenty-two manufacturer certifications remained under review. Four Logic models corresponding to Smoore's pending records were listed under the brand owner, while LYCO, OXBAR and Boulder/Rock had no approved directory entries.
Regulations
Oct.19
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