Electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and smokeless tobacco products: what does research say about these tobacco or nicotine products?

In Slovenia, tobacco smoking remains one of the most important preventable risk factors for death and healthy years of life lost. Slovenia and numerous developed countries are experiencing a decline in smoking prevalence. In order to maintain or increase sales and profits, the industry is launched various types of tobacco or nicotine products, such as electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches, which are also present in Slovenia. Smokeless tobacco products are also becoming increasingly popular in Slovenia. Heated tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches expose the user to significant levels of harmful substances. The long-term effects of their use on health have not yet been adequately studied, as they are in use for too short a time. However, the available data indicate that they have adverse effects on health, some already in the short term, and that they are likely to lead to significant health consequences in the long term. It cannot be claimed that these products are less harmful than smoking, as there is a lack of good quality studies. The harmful effects of long-term use of smokeless tobacco products are known. All of these products are also often promoted as effective smoking cessation aids, but again there is not enough good quality research to draw conclusions about their role in smoking cessation, so they are not recommended for this purpose. All of these products contain nicotine (the exception being nicotine-free electronic cigarettes) and are addictive to the user. The use of nicotine products by youth is associated with additional important risks, such as addiction, which develops more rapidly and more strongly than in adults, and adverse effects on brain development. The use of electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products among youth is also associated with increased risk of cigarette smoking in the future. Data for Slovenia show that the use of these products among youth increases with age and that the percentages of users among youth mostly exceed that of the population aged 25 and over. In recent years, the percentages of users of electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products have been increasing more markedly among adolescents than adults. It is crucial to regulate these products more strictly as soon as possible to prevent and reduce their use, especially among youth.