Debunking the myths – Five things you should know about smoking alternatives

Smoke-free alternatives can be a better choice for those who don’t want to quit smoking.

While quitting tobacco and nicotine use altogether is always the best choice, the reality is that millions of adult smokers don’t. So, what are the alternatives to continued smoking?

Decades of research and development has resulted in the availability of less harmful alternatives for adults who would otherwise continue smoking. Some of these innovations include snus, e-cigarettes and more recently, heated tobacco products (HTPs).

“The harmful effects of smoking cigarettes are well known, but there is limited awareness around the main causes of harm related to smoking,” explains Buhle Binta, Head of Scientific Engagement at Philip Morris South Africa. “There is an abundance of misinformation and confusion around vaping, e-cigarettes, and heat-not-burn tobacco products.”

ALSO READ: Why is parliament dragging its feet with the Tobacco Bill?

She says that while the best choice any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine altogether, not everyone does. Smoke-free alternatives like heated tobacco products can be a better alternative for those adults who would otherwise continue smoking.

Binta addresses some of the most frequently asked questions:

1. How are smoke-free alternatives different to cigarettes?

“The absence of burning is the foundational difference between cigarettes and smoke-free alternatives,” says Binta. “Smoke-free alternatives don’t burn tobacco, which means that they are a better alternative for adults compared to continuing to smoke.”

She adds that when a cigarette is lit, the tobacco burns at temperatures of around 600°C and when a smoker takes a puff, the temperature rises above 800°C at the burning tip.

“By eliminating combustion, scientifically substantiated smoke free alternatives are designed to significantly reduce the levels of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals compared to cigarette smoke,” she adds.

While quitting tobacco and nicotine use altogether is always the best choice, the reality is that millions of adult smokers don’t. So, what are the alternatives to continued smoking?

Decades of research and development has resulted in the availability of less harmful alternatives for adults who would otherwise continue smoking. Some of these innovations include snus, e-cigarettes and more recently, heated tobacco products (HTPs).

“The harmful effects of smoking cigarettes are well known, but there is limited awareness around the main causes of harm related to smoking,” explains Buhle Binta, Head of Scientific Engagement at Philip Morris South Africa. “There is an abundance of misinformation and confusion around vaping, e-cigarettes, and heat-not-burn tobacco products.”

ALSO READ: Why is parliament dragging its feet with the Tobacco Bill?

She says that while the best choice any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine altogether, not everyone does. Smoke-free alternatives like heated tobacco products can be a better alternative for those adults who would otherwise continue smoking.

Binta addresses some of the most frequently asked questions:

1. How are smoke-free alternatives different to cigarettes?

“The absence of burning is the foundational difference between cigarettes and smoke-free alternatives,” says Binta. “Smoke-free alternatives don’t burn tobacco, which means that they are a better alternative for adults compared to continuing to smoke.”

She adds that when a cigarette is lit, the tobacco burns at temperatures of around 600°C and when a smoker takes a puff, the temperature rises above 800°C at the burning tip.

“By eliminating combustion, scientifically substantiated smoke free alternatives are designed to significantly reduce the levels of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals compared to cigarette smoke,” she adds.

5. Why do we need less-harmful alternatives?

More needs to be done to reduce the smoking rate globally, she says. “According to the World Health Organisation’s own predictions there will still be more than one billion smokers by the year 2025.”

She adds that adults who would otherwise continue smoking should have access to accurate information about smoke-free alternatives.”

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