Tuesday, 28 June 2022
A new paper examining whether heated tobacco products emit smoke has been published in the academic journal American Chemical Society Omega.
Professor Colin Snape and Dr Clement Uguna, in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham, have conducted a literature review of the studies that investigate the emissions generated by heated tobacco products (HTPs).
HTPs, which are often viewed as an alternative to cigarettes, are electronic devices that heat a rod or stick containing cast tobacco sheet, or reconstituted tobacco made from ground tobacco powder prepared with ingredients such as glycerol, water, cellulose fibre, and guar gum to produce vapours. Hybrid HTP devices generate nicotine aerosols by heating an e-liquid and passing the vapour through a capsule of tobacco.
The academics found that, from the materials reviewed, the chemical evidence to date indicates that these devices generate Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHC) and other compounds that are linked to concerns regarding human health.
The study suggests that the emissions from heated tobacco products contain the same HPHCs as released in cigarette smoke and, in terms of their temperature of release, they do fit the definition of smoke, containing compounds such as levoglucosan that are markers of biomass combustion and black carbon that are associated with biomass, wood and tobacco smoke.
Professor Snape and Dr Uguna, experts in pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis (the heating of materials to convert to liquid or gas), received funding for this study from STOP, a global tobacco industry watchdog.
While the literature does point to heated tobacco products emitting smoke and other chemicals – less than cigarettes – there is much more work to be done to understand this phenomenon more clearly.
"Analysis after repeated use needs to be investigated to provide more reliable assessments of the compounds released from the devices in relation to human use, as recommended by their respective manufacturers, before cleaning the device,” he added.
The Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) at the University of Bath is a partner in STOP. Commenting on the findings, Director of TCRG Professor Anna Gilmore said: “This new paper raises significant questions about manufacturers’ definitions of “smoke-free” and whether these definitions can be backed up by science. It’s clear that more independent research is needed so that policy makers and consumers understand fully the potential harms of using these products.”
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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