IsoNTech to showcase latest advances in safer, alternative nicotine products

A sizeable shift towards reduced risk tobacco alternatives expected over the next 10 years

The First International Symposium on Nicotine Technology (IsoNTech) takes place today in Warsaw, Poland. The symposium looks at new and emerging technologies in the area of nicotine delivery and will be showcasing the latest advances in alternative nicotine delivery systems, next generation devices, and the science behind them.

With increased investment in the research and development of reduced risk products, and a sizeable shift from traditional smoking products to alternatives expected over the next 10 years, a larger number of manufacturers are entering the reduced risk market – including large companies with significant shares of the existing tobacco market.

The landscape for reduced risk products is already changing as science and technology advancements lead to newer innovations being released for people who would like to enjoy nicotine without the attendant risks to their health associated with smoking. This public event is being organized as a response to 2016 delegate requests to increase understanding of the science and technology behind new reduced risk nicotine products and devices.

For example, the advances in vaping products - the largest group of reduced risk products, containing nicotine but only traces of harmful chemicals - has already seen them improve in attractiveness and effectiveness. From original ‘cig-a-likes’ to the complex third and fourth generation devices available today, their use continues to rise. Figures from Wells Fargo estimate worldwide sales of products in 2008 at $20m, with this rising to in excess of $10 billion this year.

Other types of devices known as ‘heat-not-burn’ products are also becoming available, heating tobacco at a lower temperature and producing a vapour that contains markedly less toxins than present in traditional smoke. These products are notably getting a significant share of some markets, such as Japan.

However with this shift towards reduced risk products there is still no internationally recognized regulatory framework to ensure the quality and safety of products. This has resulted in some places in the application of the precautionary principle, resulting in some regulatory authorities banning them, some restricting availability and others restricting promotion and advertising. This despite the mounting evidence of both their relative safety and efficacy in assisting smokers switch from smoking.

Gerry Stimson, Chair of the New Nictotine Alliance stated:

The manufacturers at ISoNTech will demonstrate first hand the results of the exponential increase in R&D investment for safer nicotine products over the last few years. It is these new innovations that will change the landscape of the reduced risk tobacco environment, and hopefully also lead to a positive shift in public health outcomes.  

The First International Symposium on Nicotine Technology (IsoNTech) is being held on the afternoon prior to the 4^th Global Forum on Nicotine.

The organizers of IsoNTech are delighted that Hon Lik, the Chinese pharmacist who invented the electronic cigarette will also be attending the meeting.

Source: https://nnalliance.org/