Vapeboss – Recently, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) stated that research related to alternative tobacco products is very important as a support for the long-term growth of the e-cigarette industry. This includes the development of tobacco-based essences.

BRIN Head Laksana Tri Handoko said that for research purposes, his agency is open and will strive to provide resources, both human resources and infrastructure, so that the industry can develop research-based products without the need for large investments and costs.

“At BRIN, we provide all resources as an open platform that can be accessed by all parties, including industries. This also serves as an incentive to encourage collaboration among parties,” said Handoko.

This is because recently, news about vapes causing popcorn lung has been widely spread in various media. However, until now, no cases of popcorn lung due to vape use have been found domestically.

Secretary General of the Indonesian Personal Vaporizer Association (APVI) Garindra Kartasasmita revealed that his association is committed to ensuring that the industry continues to use standard raw materials that are safe for consumption.

He also compared the condition of the e-cigarette industry to the food and beverage industry, which continuously adjusts to raw materials whose prices are increasingly rising.

“Cancer Research UK has stated that there have been no cases of popcorn lung caused by vape use. Producers in Indonesia currently do not use diacetyl, because diacetyl has been banned in various countries, so the flavorings we use do not contain diacetyl,” said Garindra.

Quoting from the official website of Cancer Research UK, they denied e-cigarettes as a cause of popcorn lung. The organization actually recommended e-cigarettes as an alternative to quitting smoking.

Cancer Research UK also believes that e-cigarettes, which have a lower risk profile, will be more beneficial than consuming conventional cigarettes.

Quoting from the Tobacco Innovation website, Executive Director of The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocate (CAPHRA), Nancy Loucas, explained that generally, negative cases surrounding e-cigarettes are often imported cases from abroad that are not necessarily suitable to be raised domestically.

Therefore, she emphasized the importance of in-depth research on e-cigarettes that is truly made based on the sociodemographic conditions in each country, and not just using case examples from abroad.

Source: Tribun