Vapeboss – An event titled the Philippine College of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (PCOMS), held in Manila, Philippines, invited an Indonesian researcher to attend the national conference. As one of the invitees, Amaliya, a researcher from the Faculty of Dentistry, Padjajaran University (FKG Unpad), presented on the development of tobacco harm reduction research during the event.

Amaliya explained the problem of smoking prevalence in Indonesia and its impact on health, especially oral and dental health. She encouraged research that utilizes alternative tobacco products such as e-cigarettes or vapes and heated tobacco products for tobacco harm reduction. This research includes laboratory tests, surveys, studies, observations, clinical trials, and systematic reviews.

"From the results of these studies, we concluded that there are differences in the risk profiles of vapes and heated tobacco products compared to conventional cigarettes, namely that the risks of these two alternative tobacco products are lower than those of cigarettes for health," Amaliya said.

In addition to Amaliya, the 46th PCOMS event was also attended by other participants from Indonesia, namely Yun Mukmin Akbar, a researcher from the Military Dentistry Study Center at Padjajaran University, and Siti Sopiatin, a researcher from the Department of Periodontology at FKG Unpad. The study results also showed that alternative tobacco products have the potential to help active smokers who find it difficult to quit smoking using conventional methods reduce their smoking habits.

"Currently, we are continuing a new study, the SMILE Study, which evaluates the long-term impact of using alternative tobacco products in collaboration with researchers from several countries such as Italy, Poland, and Moldova. The development of tobacco harm reduction research will continue in the future," she explained.

Yun Mukmin said that through this event, there are opportunities that can be utilized as a platform for research cooperation or collaboration between Indonesia and the Philippines in the field of dentistry.

"This event provides an opportunity for us as researchers and dentists to actively engage in scientific discussions and conduct various studies that can benefit the general public," he said.

Education on the dangers of smoking and the concept of tobacco harm reduction among military personnel can be a starting point for similar studies in the field of military dentistry.

"Tobacco harm reduction research has great potential, especially in studying smoking behavior among military personnel, by applying knowledge in the field of military dentistry through cooperation and research collaboration with various parties," Yun Mukmin explained.

Source: Gaya.id