Search

Aims: To measure carbonyl emissions from a heated tobacco product (IQOS) in comparison with an e‐cigarette (Nautilus Mini) and a commercial tobacco cigarette (Marlboro Red). Design Regular and menthol variants of the heated tobacco product were tested. A tank‐type atomizer was tested with a tobacco‐flavoured liquid at 10 and 14 W. Aerosol and smoke were collected in impingers containing 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazine. Health Canada Intense and two more intense puffing regimens were used. Setting Analytical laboratory in Greece. Measurements Carbonyl levels in the aerosol and smoke. Findings At the Health Canada Intense regimen, heated tobacco products emitted 5.0–6.4 μg/stick formaldehyde, 144.1–176.7 μg/stick acetaldehyde, 10.4–10.8 μg/stick acrolein, 11.0–12.8 μg/stick propionaldehyde and 1.9–2.0 μg/stick crotonaldehyde. Compared with the tobacco cigarette, levels were on average 91.6% lower for formaldehyde, 84.9% lower for acetaldehyde, 90.6% lower for acrolein, 89.0% lower for propionaldehyde and 95.3% lower for crotonaldehyde. The e‐cigarette emitted 0.5–1.0 μg/12 puffs formaldehyde, 0.8–1.5 μg/12 puffs acetaldehyde and 0.3–0.4 μg/12 puffs acrolein, but no propionaldehyde and crotonaldehyde. At more intense puffing regimens, formaldehyde was increased in heated tobacco products, but levels were three–fourfold lower compared with the tobacco cigarette. Based on the findings from Health Canada Intense puffing regimen, use of 20 heated tobacco sticks would result in approximately 85% to 95% reduced carbonyl exposure compared with smoking 20 tobacco cigarettes; the respective reduction in exposure from use of 5 g e‐cigarette liquid would be 97% to > 99%. Conclusions: The IQOS heated tobacco product emits substantially lower levels of carbonyls than a commercial tobacco cigarette (Marlboro Red) but higher levels than a Nautilus Mini e‐cigarette. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Electronic cigarettes (EC) and heated tobacco products (HTP) have been introduced in the global market as safer nicotine delivery systems; however, there is skepticism about their link to smoking and long-term risks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of EC/HTP use in Greece., Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 1,044 individuals aged ≥15 years old, who were randomly selected from the general Greek population. The study was conducted in May 2022, and participants were assessed through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire designed to collect information on smoking and EC/HTP use, as well as their sociodemographic, lifestyle, and medical data., Results: The use of EC/HTP was reported by 16.2% of the participants, slightly more prevalent in males (17.2%) than in females (15.2%), and significantly more prevalent in <40-year-olds (21.3%) than ≥40-year-olds (11.3%). Most EC/HTP users (72.8%) were current smokers, 13.0% were former smokers, and 14.2% were never smokers. Among users, 60.6% used nicotine-containing products, 30.2% used EC/HTP in parallel with conventional tobacco, and 56.9% used EC/HTP for the first time while being <25 years old. In multiple logistic regression analysis, younger age, being employed, being a former/current smoker, adopting a Western-type diet, and believing that EC/HTP are less harmful than conventional tobacco products and can help toward smoking cessation emerged as significant determinants of EC/HTP use., Conclusions: EC/HTP are commonly used in combination with conventional tobacco, are quite popular among the youth, and also appeal to a small fraction of nonsmokers., (Copyright © 2023 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)