A recent study conducted by the French Cancer Institute (INCa) and the French Public Health Research Institute (IResP) has concluded that while heated tobacco products like IQOS are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, they are more harmful than e-cigarettes. The study, set to be published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials in January 2021, reinforces the notion that e-cigarettes remain the least harmful tool for smoking cessation among the new products that have emerged in recent years.
Comparing Heated Tobacco, Personal Vapes, and Smoking
The study aimed to compare the chemical composition and toxicological effects of heated tobacco products, e-cigarette vapor, and traditional cigarette smoke. Researchers used an IQOS device, various e-cigarette models, and regular tobacco cigarettes to conduct the experiment. The research focused on identifying and quantifying carbonyl compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which significantly contribute to the carcinogenic effects of tobacco smoke.
IQOS Emits Fewer Harmful Compounds Than Cigarettes, but More Than E-Cigarettes
The study found that IQOS emitted 84.7% fewer carbonyl compounds and 96.2% fewer PAHs than traditional cigarettes. However, e-cigarettes produced at least 98.5% fewer carbonyl compounds and between 64.9% and 78.2% fewer PAHs than IQOS. The researchers attributed the lower levels of harmful compounds in e-cigarette vapor to the absence of tobacco ingredients, which contain the precursors of PAHs.
Despite the reduced levels of harmful compounds in IQOS emissions compared to cigarettes, the researchers noted that the heated tobacco product still contained carcinogenic compounds such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzo[a]pyrene. As a result, while IQOS aerosol presented "reduced cytotoxicity" compared to cigarette smoke, it remained "higher" than in vaping.
Informing Smokers About Health Risks of Emerging Alternatives
The researchers emphasized the importance of providing smokers with accurate information about the health risks associated with various emerging alternatives to traditional cigarettes. As part of efforts to reduce the harm caused by tobacco, smokers should ideally have the freedom to choose among a variety of options to help them quit smoking.
The study's conclusions contribute to a better understanding of the emission properties and toxicological impacts of heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes. The data provided can help evaluate the risks associated with these products, demonstrating that while IQOS may be less harmful than tobacco cigarettes, it is considerably more harmful than vaping.
As the debate surrounding smoking cessation tools continues, this study provides valuable insights into the relative risks associated with heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes. The findings suggest that e-cigarettes remain the least harmful option among the new products available to smokers seeking to quit.
