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According to one study, a new type of electronic cigarette has caused as much damage to lung cells as traditional cigarettes.
"Burning without burning" tobacco products are already incredibly popular in some foreign markets, but have not yet entered the United States.
Promoted in the same way as e-cigarettes as a less dangerous alternative to traditional smoking, public health experts fear that "burn without burning" products could be the next big step for the industry. tobacco.
Due to their novelty, there is little scientific research on these devices as to their safety and usefulness in quitting smoking.
But in an overwhelming new study, researchers say they are no better for you than traditional cigarettes or electronic cigarettes.
The paper, published this week in the journal ERJ Open Research, examined the in vitro effects of steam produced by IQOS devices (IQOS is the brand name of a Philip Morris "not burning" tobacco product. International, US tobacco company) on human cells found in the lungs and respiratory tracts.
The researchers exposed bronchial epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells of the human respiratory tract to IQOS vapor and compared their observations directly to the effects of cigarette smoke and electronic cigarette vapor.
All three were toxic to lung cells, the IQOS device vapors having a toxicity comparable to that of traditional smoking.
"We have observed different levels of cellular toxicity with all forms of exposure in human lung cells. It was clear that the new products were by no means less toxic to the cells than conventional cigarettes or e-cigarettes, "said Sukhwinder Sohal, PhD, one of the authors of the ####################################################################### 39, study and researcher in health sciences at Respiratory of the University of Tasmania. Translational research group.
The study concludes that IQOS devices, such as cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, can cause inflammation, oxidative stress and other deleterious effects on the lungs and respiratory tract. In the long term, this can lead to serious health problems for smokers, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
The authors say that their study is an important first step in understanding the potential danger of "do not burn by heat" tobacco products.
Non-burning tobacco products are the newest iteration of electronic smoking. But unlike e-cigarettes and sprays, they do not use nicotine-infused liquids ("e-juice").
They use real tobacco. Inside the unit is a carefully calibrated heating mechanism that heats the tobacco to about 299 ° C (570 ° F) below the combustion temperature, creating an inhalable aerosol.
Part of the attraction of such devices is that they are able to offer a distinct sensation of "throat sensation" to the physical sensation of smoking cigarettes, which is sometimes lacking in other vaporizers or models of electronic cigarettes.
Heat-not-burn products are not yet available in the United States, but in test markets in Europe and Asia, where they have been available since 2014, they have proved extremely popular.
John Ayers, PhD, Vice-Chief Innovation Officer, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at the University of San Diego (UC San Diego), monitors the popularity of "burning without burning" using methods practices such as Google searches.
"It seems that the tobacco control community is confused when tobacco products are renamed or revised. That's what I'm afraid of happening with IQOS, like what happened with e-cigs, "he told Healthline.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing IQOS devices as "modified risk tobacco products" (MRTPs). The MRTP designation refers to "tobacco products sold or distributed for use in order to reduce the harm or risk of tobacco-related illness badociated with marketed tobacco products".
To obtain this designation, the applicant must demonstrate that the product has the capacity to "significantly reduce damage" and tobacco-related illnesses. It must also benefit the overall health of the population, taking into account people who do not use tobacco products.
According to Sohal, according to their research, IQOS does not fit this definition.
"It's up to the tobacco industry to prove that its latest products, such as IQOS, are potentially less harmful than cigarettes," said Ayers. "Until then, the regulatory environment badumes that it is another tobacco product."
A debate continues today at the federal level on whether electronic cigarettes and sprays actually help smokers quit smoking or attract new smokers, especially the youngest.
In fact, they are probably both.
Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a dramatic increase of 1.5 million tobacco smokers between 2017 and 2018. This is due to the popularity of electronic cigarettes among young people.
Although the role of electronic cigarettes in smoking initiation is clear, their role in quitting smoking is much less.
Public health experts say that not burning heat is just another attempt to encourage more people to smoke.
"The American Lung Association fears both for the health of IQOS users and for general public health if this agreement gives the go-ahead to IQOS. [the] FDA, "said Healthline Erika Sward, deputy vice president of national advocacy for the American Lung Association.
"Many questions remain unanswered about the real impact on health – and this latest study continues to raise real doubts about Philip Morris International's claims about the real impact on health. The lungs are often the canaries of the coal mine regarding the impact of tobacco products on health, and we are extremely concerned about the potential consequences of IQOS, "she said.
A new type of tobacco product called "heat-not-burn" is the newest iteration of electronic smoking. But unlike electronic cigarettes and sprays, they do not use nicotine-infused liquids ("electronic juice"), they use real tobacco.
A recent study has shown that branded versions of these devices, called IQOS, may cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and other deleterious effects on the lungs and airways. In the long term, this can lead to serious health problems for smokers, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
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