Vapeboss - The government's lack of attention to regulating the alternative tobacco industry has meant that the public is not fully aware of the facts related to products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches.

This is evident from the many misconceptions in society regarding alternative tobacco products that are not based on scientific studies.

The Chairman of the Alliance of Indonesian Vapers (AVI), Johan Sumantri, explained that people still consider alternative tobacco products to be as risky as conventional cigarettes. In fact, alternative tobacco products are an innovation with significantly lower risks than cigarettes and do not contain harmful substances like TAR.

"Because of the lack of information, many people assume that alternative tobacco products have the same dangers as cigarettes, when in fact they do not. Therefore, accurate information about alternative tobacco products needs to be disseminated," said Johan.

Based on the study titled "Effectiveness and Safety Profile of Alternative Tobacco and Nicotine Products for Smoking Reduction and Cessation: A Systematic Review" conducted by Padjajaran University (UNPAD) and published in the Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, it was concluded that the use of alternative tobacco products has the potential to reduce smoking habits and rarely causes adverse events in short- to medium-term use.

In addition, research results by the executive body of the UK Department of Health, Public Health England, which have been updated until 2022, also report that alternative tobacco products have a 95% lower risk than cigarettes.

"Based on these various scientific studies, alternative tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, have a lower risk than cigarettes. In addition, there is no such thing as 'second-hand smoke' produced by these products," Johan continued.

Johan believes that based on the facts presented through this research, the public needs to receive accurate information about alternative tobacco products based on scientific studies so that misconceptions can be corrected.

"Everyone has the right to know the facts about a product, whatever it may be, including alternative tobacco products," Johan asserted.

"If adult smokers have access to accurate information about alternative tobacco products, then more adult smokers can use these products to meet their nicotine needs with lower risks," he added.

Source: Suara