Vapeboss – Toxicologist and lecturer at the Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University (UNAIR), Shoim Hidayat, explained that TAR is very different from nicotine, especially in terms of the impacts it causes. According to Shoim, TAR is a chemical substance and solid carbon particles produced through the combustion process in cigarettes.

He stated that TAR compounds are carcinogenic, meaning they can cause cancer and trigger various dangerous diseases resulting from smoking habits.

"There are thousands of chemical compounds in cigarette smoke, some of which are indeed carcinogenic, such as TAR. So, the chemicals in TAR are what trigger dangerous diseases caused by smoking habits," said Shoim.

According to the National Cancer Institute of the United States, TAR contains various carcinogenic compounds that can trigger lung cancer, emphysema, or other diseases. Of the approximately 7,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, 2,000 of them are found in TAR.

Shoim continued, in addition to the aforementioned, TAR can also increase the risk of chronic diseases related to blood circulation in the heart and diabetes. This is because chemical substances in TAR absorbed by the lungs will flow into the bloodstream.

"However, not many studies have proven that TAR can cause heart disease and diabetes. The cause of a disease is often very complex," he said.

Meanwhile, nicotine, which is often accused of being the most dangerous substance in cigarettes, actually has a different effect. Shoim explained that nicotine is not carcinogenic but causes addiction or dependence. Consuming nicotine can stimulate the brain system, leading to feelings of comfort, calmness, and the like.

Nicotine can also be found in some plants other than tobacco, such as potatoes, eggplants, and tomatoes. However, its concentration is quite low.

"Nicotine dependence is similar to coffee addiction. Smokers are actually only looking for the effects of nicotine. Nicotine can be dangerous if consumed in excess; it can cause dizziness," he said.

On the other hand, researcher from the Department of Chemistry, Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Mohammad Khotib, added that the public often mistakenly believes that nicotine is the main cause of health problems rather than TAR. In fact, TAR is the trigger for various diseases due to cigarette consumption.

"Nicotine tends to cause addiction or dependence, but TAR can trigger cancer because of its carcinogenic nature," he said.

Based on these facts, Khotib advised adult smokers to reduce exposure by quitting smoking. If quitting is difficult, they can switch to alternative tobacco products such as heated tobacco or e-cigarettes.

This is because the controlled heating system used in these products only produces vapor or aerosol, not smoke like in cigarettes. The vapor produced by alternative tobacco products does not contain solid particles.

Thanks to this system, alternative tobacco products can reduce risk by 90 to 95 percent lower than cigarettes.

"It is difficult to eliminate cigarette consumption, but the most important priority is to create innovations that reduce the risks of cigarettes, such as alternative tobacco products," he emphasized.

Source: Kontan