Heat-not-burn (HNB) technology is revolutionizing the tobacco industry. With its ability to provide a taste similar to traditional tobacco while significantly reducing harmful emissions, HNB products are gaining traction worldwide. As of 2020, the global HNB market was valued at approximately $20.8 billion, with a market penetration of 2.4%. This figure is expected to soar to $55.3 billion by 2025, reaching a penetration rate of 5.1%. But what do health authorities from the United States, Britain, and South Korea think about these innovative products? Let’s dive in.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Weighs In
The FDA has taken a progressive approach toward tobacco and nicotine products. In 2017, they set forth a plan aiming to balance regulation with the promotion of safer tobacco alternatives. In a landmark decision in July 2020, the FDA granted a marketing license to Philip Morris International’s IQOS system, a heated tobacco product. This marked it as the first nicotine-containing electronic product to receive such approval in the U.S. The FDA highlighted that IQOS’s heat-not-burn technology could “significantly reduce the production of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes,” and switching from smoking to IQOS could “significantly reduce exposure to 15 specific harmful chemicals.”
Public Health England (PHE) Shares Insights
Public Health England, an agency of the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care, included heated tobacco products in its 2018 review for the first time. The review analyzed products like IQOS, Glo, and Ploom Tech. PHE’s findings suggested that, compared to cigarette smoke, HNB products could expose users and bystanders to lower levels of particulate matter and harmful compounds, although the extent of reduction varies across different studies.
UK Toxicity Council (UKCOT) Evaluates Risks
UKCOT, advising various UK government bodies, assessed the toxicity of heated tobacco products. Their review of IQOS and iFuse concluded that although these products are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, they are not without health risks. However, they noted that smokers who switch to these HNB products from traditional cigarettes could significantly reduce their health risks.
Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) Reports Findings
The MFDS of South Korea conducted its own research, measuring harmful components in HNB products like IQOS. Their findings were promising; HNB products contained significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to traditional cigarettes. Specifically, carcinogens were over 10 times lower than in cigarette smoke, and reductions of other harmful compounds like benzopyrene and benzene exceeded 95% and 99%, respectively.
In conclusion, while HNB products are not completely risk-free, they offer a significant reduction in many of the harmful compounds found in traditional cigarette smoke. If you’re considering a switch from smoking, or if you’re curious about safer alternatives, exploring heat-not-burn technology might be worth your while. For more insights and updates on vaping and tobacco alternatives, keep following our blog and join the conversation on safer ways to enjoy nicotine!
Thinking about making a switch or curious about HNB products? Dive deeper into our discussions here and join a community focused on safer alternatives. Your journey to a less harmful nicotine experience starts today!
