Search Results (8)

Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products have seen significant growth in sales and usage in recent years. Initially promoted as potentially less harmful alternatives to traditional tobacco, recent scientific evidence has raised serious concerns about the risks they pose, particularly in relation to atherosclerosis. While atherosclerosis has long been associated with conventional tobacco smoking, emerging research suggests that electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco may also contribute to the development of this condition and related cardiovascular complications. In a narrative review, we examined the potential effects of heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes on oxidative stress and atherosclerosis. Several studies have shown that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco increase oxidative stress through the activation of enzymes such as NADPH oxidase. One of the primary effects of these products is their pro-thrombotic and pro-atherosclerotic impact on endothelial cells and platelets, which promotes inflammatory processes within the arteries. Furthermore, the chemicals found in electronic cigarette liquids may exacerbate inflammation and cause endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, through a systematic review, we analyzed the effects of chronic exposure to electronic and heated tobacco cigarettes on endothelial function, as assessed by brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Although electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco cigarettes are often perceived as safer alternatives to traditional smoking, they could still present risks to cardiovascular health. It is essential to raise public awareness about the potential dangers associated with these products and implement protective measures, particularly for young people. Full article

Background: Japan’s rising health expenditure, driven by an aging population, coincides with growing demands for increased spending. Reducing smoking-related costs could alleviate the burden on the health care system. Despite efforts to promote smoking cessation, success has been limited, indicating a need for strategies beyond cessation. Methods: Using a status quo simulation based on hospital resource data from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, we examine the impact of heated tobacco products (HTPs) on the prevalence of four smoking-attributable diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer) and the related direct health care costs. The baseline scenario assumes a 50% switch from combustible cigarettes to HTPs, with a 70% risk reduction. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the effects of parameter variations. Results: If 50% of smokers replaced combustible tobacco products with HTPs, 12 million patients could be averted equivalent to JPY 454 billion in health care savings. Prefectures located in the north and south of Japan would benefit the most. Conclusions: Considering the heterogeneous prevalence rates, a one-size-fits-all tobacco control approach is ineffective. Japan should prioritize cost-efficient measures that promote public health and economic benefits. Encouraging smokers to switch to reduced-risk products, raising awareness of health risks, and adopting a harm-based taxation model can drive positive change. Public–private partnerships can further enhance harm reduction efforts. With a combination of tax reforms, revised regulations, collaborations, and ongoing research, Japan can create a more effective and comprehensive approach to tobacco control. Full article

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have become increasingly popular among adolescents, either as an alternative to conventional cigarettes (CCs) or as a newly acquired recreational habit. Although considered by most users as a safer option for nicotine intake, these devices pose significant health risks, resulting in multisystem damage. Heat-not-burn products, which, unlike ENDS, contain tobacco, are also alternatives to CCs that consumers use based on the idea that their safety profile is superior to that of cigarettes. Recent studies in the USA and EU show that adolescents are particularly prone to using these devices. Pediatric cardiologists, as well as other healthcare professionals, should be aware of the complications that may arise from acute and chronic consumption of these substances, considering the cardiovascular damage they elicit. This article summarized the known data about the impact of ENDS on the cardiovascular system, with emphasis on the pathophysiological and molecular changes that herald the onset of systemic lesions alongside the clinical cardiovascular manifestations in this scenario. Full article

The awareness of healthcare practitioners concerning heated tobacco product (HTP) use risks has been evaluated; however, few studies have investigated general dental practitioners’ awareness regarding HTP-use risks. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated dentists’ awareness of the risks of smoking, particularly HTP use. A self-administered questionnaire, including eight questions on conventional cigarette and HTP smoking/using status and both knowledge and awareness of HTP-use risks, was posted to 3883 dentists belonging to the Aichi Dental Association, Japan, in August 2019. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. We analyzed the data of 1317 dentists (participation rate, 41.6%). The study group included cigarette smokers (11.5%) and HTP users (8.5%), among whom 41.1% were dual users. HTP users were more likely than never smokers/users to correctly perceive HTP-use risks (p < 0.05). This study indicates that in Japan, the proportion of HTP users is higher than that of the general population. It is important to educate not only smokers/users but also never smokers/users on the risks of smoking and using HTPs. Smoking cessation, including ceasing HTP use, and aiming to quit smoking and HTP use among dentists would contribute to appropriate smoking cessation among patients. Full article

The growing popularity of heated tobacco products (HTPs) among youth may act as a gateway for smoking and jeopardize youth health. We aimed to describe the use of HTPs among youth smokers in Hong Kong and examine their risk awareness of HTPs as well as awareness of the proposed legislation. We conducted retrospective data analyses on the Youth Quitline Cohort (n = 731). We extracted participants’ sociodemographic data, smoking profiles, and HTP use from 1 January 2017. Participants’ HTP use increased from 5.7% in 2017 to 37.9% in 2020. Among the 731 participants, 175 were HTP users and 556 were HTP nonusers. Compared with nonusers, a significantly higher proportion of HTP users had tried using other tobacco products at least once. The most common reason for using HTPs was curiosity. HTP users were more likely than nonusers to misclassify HTPs as e-cigarettes; agree that HTPs were healthier and contained fewer harmful substances than conventional cigarettes; consider HTPs as a smoking cessation aid; and believe that HTPs could reduce conventional cigarette consumption. Overall, 61.2% of youth smokers disagreed with banning HTPs. Risk awareness of HTPs among youth might affect their likelihood of using these products. Stricter regulations on advertising and intensive health education are imperative to avoid misleading information and limit youth exposure to such harmful products. Full article

Introduction: The use of heat-not-burn tobacco products (HnB) is being adopted increasingly as an alternative to smoking combusted products, primarily cigarettes. Substantial controversy has accompanied their marketing and use in the public health context. In this study, we aimed to consider the probable impacts of HnB tobacco products use on public health. Methods: In May 2019, we conducted a systematic review of 15 studies concerning awareness and use of IQOS (abbrv. I Quit Ordinary Smoking) selected from three databases: Cochrane, PubMed, and Embase regarding public health. Results: All key outcomes varied by smoking status: more young adults who were currently smoking reported being aware of, interested in trying, and prone to trying heat-not-burn tobacco products. Interest in trying HnB products was also present among non-smokers, which raises concerns regarding new smokers. Interestingly, susceptibility to trying IQOS (25.1%) was higher than for traditional cigarettes (19.3%), but lower than for e-cigarettes (29.1%). Conclusions: Present studies suggest that HnB tobacco products have the potential to be a reduced risk product for public health compared to conventional cigarettes, considering indirectly the potential effects on the chronic diseases which are traditionally linked to traditional cigarette use as well as second hand exposure, but further studies are needed to determine whether this potential is likely to be realized. The process of HnB tobacco products becoming increasingly popular is of a global scale. Only small differences between countries on different continents regarding popularity and use of HnB tobacco products have been reported. Full article

The awareness and use of the recently introduced heated product in the global tobacco market is rapidly increasing. Few studies have investigated the association of this product’s use with health-related factors. To examine the association of the heated tobacco product (HTP)’s use with perceived stress, physical activity, and internet use, we analyzed data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey using multinomial logistic regression models. The participants included 60,040 students from middle school and high school. There were significant associations between high perceived stress and cigarette use only, dual use of cigarette and e-cigarette, triple use of cigarette, e-cigarette, and HTP; a negative association between HTP’s use and perceived stress; positive association between physical activity and tobacco use; and not using the internet significantly increased the odds of use of all types of tobacco products. A smoking prevention program, tailored to meet the needs of different types of tobacco product users, is recommended. A program aimed at not only increasing awareness of perceived risk but also decreasing perceived benefits of risky behaviors, should also be considered. Further research using a longitudinal design to test the causal relationship of tobacco product use with perceived stress, physical activity, and internet use is warranted. Full article

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are advertised as being safer than tobacco cigarettes products as the chemical compounds inhaled from e-cigarettes are believed to be fewer and less toxic than those from tobacco cigarettes. Therefore, continuous careful monitoring and risk management of e-cigarettes should be implemented, with the aim of protecting and promoting public health worldwide. Moreover, basic scientific data are required for the regulation of e-cigarette. To date, there have been reports of many hazardous chemical compounds generated from e-cigarettes, particularly carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and glyoxal, which are often found in e-cigarette aerosols. These carbonyl compounds are incidentally generated by the oxidation of e-liquid (liquid in e-cigarette; glycerol and glycols) when the liquid comes in contact with the heated nichrome wire. The compositions and concentrations of these compounds vary depending on the type of e-liquid and the battery voltage. In some cases, extremely high concentrations of these carbonyl compounds are generated, and may contribute to various health effects. Suppliers, risk management organizations, and users of e-cigarettes should be aware of this phenomenon. Full article