While we are only too aware of the adverse effects that the tobacco industry has on public health, it is also clear that for many users, it is a part of their daily lives. Warnings on product labels and awareness campaigns do little to discourage users. For some, smoking may be a way to enjoy a moment of temporary relief from daily stress, while for others, it is a lifestyle that they can’t do without.
Hence, it only makes sense that the tobacco industry has been taking great efforts to develop safer ways for tobacco consumption using modern technology. One not-so-recent development is the Heat-Not-Burn devices that enable users to enjoy heated tobacco as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.
But what is heated tobacco, and why are they so popular? What are their benefits? And more importantly, why should you ditch cigarettes and adopt an HNB device? Let’s take a look.
What is heated tobacco and how does it work?
Heated tobacco is the latest and safer alternative to smoking using electronic devices called Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) devices. These devices heat processed tobacco (or non-tobacco) sticks at a much lower temperature, producing an inhalable aerosol with lower levels of toxic chemicals than the smoke from the combustion of traditional cigarettes.
Since the technology is relatively new, heated tobacco is still under strict scrutiny in many countries. However, its popularity is steadily increasing with more and more smokers opting for heated sticks as opposed to vape and cigarettes.
If you are a smoker yourself, you might be thinking, “I’ve always smoked cigarettes. Why should I switch? What’s in it for me?” Well, let’s explore some reasons why the world is abandoning the old ways and moving on to this new way of smoking.
Heated tobacco is less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
Yes, that’s right, and it is backed up by research.
Tobacco smoke contains over 7000 chemicals of which about 250 are considered highly toxic and linked to heart diseases, COPD, stroke, lung diseases, lower immune system, diabetes, etc. Vape or e-liquid is no different in terms of toxicity levels. Heated tobacco, on the other hand, provides a much safer and better alternative.
Studies say that compared to smoke from regular cigarettes, aerosols that HNB devices produce contain up to 95% lower levels of toxic chemicals, which is huge. People who switched to heated tobacco have been reported to experience a reduced risk of pulmonary disease and cardiovascular diseases than people using traditional cigarettes.
It may help you quit tobacco.
Okay, so heated tobacco is safer than traditional cigarettes, vape, or e-liquid, but the better news? It may help you in quitting altogether by providing a wider choice of products with varying amounts of nicotine and nicotine-free alternatives.
For instance, NEAFS sticks come with 0 to 1.5% nicotine. This may help you track or tweak your preference level. You also have nicotine-free alternatives made from high-quality tea leaves in a variety of flavors, so you can enjoy your daily dose as you work towards quitting it altogether.
Protect your family from secondary smoke.
Perhaps, one of the bigger reasons why smokers switch to HEETS is they want to be responsible smokers. Yes, protecting our families and those around us come first, above our convenience or preference.
Research estimates that approximately 41,000 non-smokers die each year due to health complications caused by exposure to secondary smoke. Children and infants are at increased risk for severe health diseases and death.
Heated tobacco does not produce smoke and protects your loved ones from unnecessary exposure to highly toxic chemicals.
Heated tobacco is cost-efficient.
Considering the benefits, heated tobacco is also more cost-efficient than traditional cigarettes. A study on the affordability and cost efficiency of heated tobacco found that the price of 20 HEETS and 20 Marlboro cigarettes were almost the same in several countries.
Which is the best heated tobacco brand?
Ploom, glo, and IQOS are some of the most popular heated tobacco brands in the market. NEAFS is another brand that’s growing in popularity with the heated tobacco users. Its special feature is their tobacco sticks aren’t made with tobacco leaves but rather high-quality green tea leaves steeped in nicotine. It’s also called the “Heated alternative” compared with heated tobacco. Thus, they are much healthier as green tea leaves do not contain high levels of toxic chemicals that tobacco leaves do.
(Picture from online)
The wide range of flavors includes menthol, blueberry, mojito, strawberry, and coffee among others which ensures an entirely new way of enjoying the taste of nicotine minus some negative aspects.
Conclusion
This post is not aimed at encouraging smokers but rather to minimize the negative consequences of smoking. Because if you are going to smoke anyway, why not do it the safer way? After all, we want to opt for the least-harmful way of doing our things.
In conclusion, switching to heated tobacco provides a much safer alternative, both for the smoker and the surrounding.
