Currently, there is a growing popularity in the use of heated tobacco among young people. Young individuals tend to believe that this product is safer than cigarettes and does not harm health, however, healthcare specialists assert that this is a misconception, and using heated tobacco is also dangerous to health.
In India, heated tobacco products (HTPs) are completely banned for all types of electronic nicotine delivery systems. Nevertheless, they continue to reach young people through online platforms or illegal markets, becoming a common sight at large parties.
When tobacco is heated, unlike cigarettes, it is not burned but only heated to a certain temperature. This process leads to the formation of an aerosol, which is then absorbed into the body. Although it contains tobacco and nicotine, just like cigarettes, there is a difference: cigarettes produce smoke from burning tobacco containing numerous chemical substances, whereas in heated tobacco, the tobacco is heated, not burned. Although smoke may still be emitted here, it is considered that the harm from it is less.
According to experts, the exposure to some harmful substances released by heated tobacco may be lower than when smoking cigarettes. However, there are no serious studies determining how much the risk of developing cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and lung diseases decreases with long-term use of heated tobacco compared to cigarettes. Therefore, considering it a safe alternative to cigarettes is incorrect.
Dr. Pawan Gupta, Director of the Chest and Respiratory Diseases Center at BLK-Max, noted that interest in using heated tobacco is growing, and its consumption among youth has increased. He emphasized, however, that this does not mean it is harmless. He also refuted the idea that switching from cigarettes to heated tobacco is a way to quit smoking, stating that this is false.
Dr. Hiroya Kumamaru, a cardiothoracic surgeon and Deputy Director of OI International Hospital in Kawasaki, believes that heated tobacco is not as dangerous as cigarettes, but insists on the need to consider its long-term use.