Despite the fact that many authorities still seek to denigrate heated tobacco products, in some cases because they are produced by tobacco companies, the figures speak for themselves.
In August last year, New Zealand was praised by experts for reducing tobacco harm by reducing the local tax on heated tobacco products (HTP) by half. The purpose of this step was to encourage smokers to switch to safer alternative products. However, just two months later, New Zealand's Assistant Minister of Health, Casey Costello, and Prime Minister Christopher Lacson disagreed over the potential financial benefits to tobacco companies from a tax cut on these products.
Costello's plan to encourage smokers to switch to HTP has been confused by regulations. They inadvertently made the devices incompatible with the new rules for vaping devices. For example, requiring child-proof locks and removable batteries. Costello admitted that she did not know that these rules, which come into force on October 1, 2024, would affect the HTP. On the other hand, Lacson stated that he was aware of changes to the child protection rules, which were postponed for six months before they were put into effect.
To support her arguments, Health Secretary Costello released five documents as an "independent advice" on HTP.
In May last year, an equally heated debate broke out in Vietnam about whether to ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. At the same time, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Industry and Trade took different positions. The Ministry of Health, headed by Minister Dao Hong Lan, advocated for a ban. He referred to the harmful effects of these products on health, presenting the Government with several documents allegedly confirming his position. Lan argues that the visible harm caused by e-cigarettes and heated tobacco justifies a complete ban on their production, sale and advertising.
Supporting the position of the Ministry of Health, Deputy Minister of Education and Vocational Training Nguyen Thi Kim Chi expressed concern about the impact of these products on students. She stated that they have a detrimental effect on both physical and mental health. And she also suggested that these products contribute to social disorder and violation of safety rules. Other panelists expressed concern about the impact on women and girls. Especially with regard to reproductive health and social consequences.
Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang, on the contrary, opposed the outright ban. She, in turn, said that legalizing these products could help prevent smuggling and trade fraud. Thang acknowledged public health concerns, but offered a more nuanced approach. She stressed that the Ministry has completed a 20-page study on this issue.
Meanwhile, according to real data from Japan, a study conducted by the Korean Institute of Industrial Economics and Trade showed that smokers who switched to HTP significantly increase their chances of quitting altogether. Unlike traditional cigarettes, the research team emphasizes, STIs heat tobacco without combustion, which leads to a decrease in the level of harmful chemicals. The study showed that 99.4% of NTI users were either former smokers of traditional cigarettes or dual users. And only 0.6% became new smokers. These results refuted any concerns that STIs could become a "gateway" to smoking.
The study, which involved 4,514 adults, showed that the probability of switching to STI is higher among women, people with higher education, people with children, office workers and people with increased health problems. Since their introduction in Korea in 2017, HTPs have taken a significant market share. It increased from 2.2% of total tobacco sales in the first year to 12% by mid-2021.
The study highlights that HTP, along with other smokeless products such as vapes and nicotine spiders, offer a safer alternative to traditional smoking, reducing exposure to toxic chemicals by 95%. Such a rejection of conventional cigarettes can bring significant benefits to public health. Moreover, more than 8 million people die every year from smoking-related diseases.
It is known that in the neighboring country of Korea, Japan, HTPs are very successful. Since its introduction to the Japanese market, STIs have quickly conquered the market, attracting smokers looking for an alternative to traditional cigarettes. This shift has led to a steady decline in cigarette consumption in Japan, and smoking rates are falling as more consumers switch to HTP. By offering a less harmful smoking option, STIs have played a key role in Japan's efforts to reduce tobacco harm. Thereby changing the picture of nicotine consumption in the country.
Similarly, there has been a surge in the consumption of heated tobacco products in Hungary in recent years. At the same time, the consumption of traditional cigarettes is decreasing. By August 2024, almost 2,245 million units of heated tobacco had been sold, significantly more than 38.3 million units per month in 2020. Monthly sales of traditional cigarettes decreased by 150-200 million units compared to 2020. And sales of fine-cut tobacco decreased by 20-25%.
Similar changes have been observed in a number of other countries and reflect changing consumer preferences. Any measures imposed on cigarettes, HTPs and vapes, such as a ban on flavorings and tax changes, can, of course, further influence this transition in the structure of tobacco consumption. The authorities should also take into account that many consumers turn to the black market in response to the unavailability of products. Given all this, there is no denying the importance of conducting comprehensive and thorough assessments before taking any action.
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