Introduction: Cigarette smoke contains nicotine and many harmful chemicals. Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products are new alternative to classic cigarettes, and have not yet been fully researched from a safety point of view.
Aim: The aim of this thesis is to present a review and evaluate the relevant scientific research that has been done in the field of safety of both electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The aim of the thesis is also to study the ingredients contained in these products and the compounds formed during heating and to assess the safety of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Methods: In the PubMed database, we reviewed the scientific and professional literature in the field of electronic cigarettes and tobacco products for heating. We searched for articles with the following search profile: “Electronic AND Cigarettes AND (toxicology OR toxic OR side effects)” and “iQOS” OR “heat AND not AND burn OR cigarettes”. «And with limitations: research conducted on humans and animals, review articles, systematic articles and meta-analyzes in the period 2013–2020.
Results and discussion: We investigated the composition of electronic cigarettes and compounds formed during heating, as their safety during heating and inhalation is questionable. Liquids for e-cigarettes contain nicotine, flavorings, glycerol and propylene glycol. When heated, aldehydes are formed, which cause side effects on the human body (irritation of the eyes, skin, respiratory tract ect.). Electronic cigarettes also contain nitrosamines, metals and semi-metals, but their content is mostly lower than that of a regular cigarette. Heating tobacco systems also pose a certain health risk, despite approval by the U.S. Government Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that exposure to harmful chemicals can be reduced through use of iQOS. Part of the thesis is also a survey among users of social networks, with which we found that most respondents are aware of certain health risks and want more information in this area.
Conclusions: Electronic cigarettes and heating tobacco systems contain fewer toxic substances than conventional cigarettes, but nevertheless pose a certain health risk and have advantages over conventional smoking.
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