4 Scientific Studies Reveal Alternative Tobacco Products Have a Lower Risk Profile

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JAKARTA - Various scientific research evidence regarding alternative tobacco products continues to increase, both domestically and abroad. The results of a series of research clearly prove that alternative tobacco products consisting of electronic cigarettes (vape), heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches have a lower toxicity profile than cigarettes and have the potential to be one of the options for adult smokers who want to switch from smoking habits.

Research on alternative tobacco products generally focuses on two main aspects, namely the exposure profile of harmful substances compared to cigarettes and their potential to help adult smokers who have difficulty quitting the habit of smoking. Various studies from international research institutions and journals show consistent findings on both aspects.

Here are four findings from various scientific studies on alternative tobacco products.

1. British Study: Alternative Tobacco Products Have a 90-95 Percent Lower Risk Profile Than Cigarettes

One of the studies that became the initial milestone in the scientific discussion of alternative tobacco products is the Evidence Review of E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products in 2018 published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), England. This study is an important reference that encourages the development of various follow-up studies related to the potential for reducing the risk (tobacco harm reduction) of alternative tobacco products.

The study showed that electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products have a risk profile about 90-95 percent lower than cigarettes. These findings are based on the fact that alternative tobacco products do not go through a combustion process that produces TAR and various other harmful substances found in cigarette smoke.

2. Bern University Research: More Effective in Helping Adult Smokers Switch from Smoking Habits

The results of the clinical study Electronic Nicotine-Delivery Systems for Smoking Cessation published in the New England Journal of Medicine in February 2024 show that the use of alternative tobacco products is able to increase the success of quitting smoking completely, even when compared to following smoking cessation counseling. In addition, the use of these products is also associated with the potential for a reduction in a number of health complaints due to smoking.

The lead researcher from the Institute of Primary Health Care at the University of Bern, Switzerland, Reto Auer, said the aim of the research was to find out how effective alternative tobacco products were used in the short term and to be part of intensive counseling.

"The study is to compare the effectiveness, safety, and toxicology of alternative tobacco products as a solution to quitting smoking compared to other methods," Auer said, as quoted, Friday, August 7.

3. JAMA Network Study: E-cigarettes are the most commonly used method for adult smokers to switch from smoking in the UK

The study Prevalence of Popular Smoking Cessation Aids in England and Associations With Quit Success published by JAMA Network in January 2025 showed that electronic cigarettes were the most widely used method by adult smokers in the UK to switch from smoking habits in the period 2023-2024.

As many as 40.2 percent of efforts to switch from smoking habits were done with the help of electronic cigarettes. The study also found that the use of electronic cigarettes has a higher success rate than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

"These findings suggest that the success of switching from smoking habits can be increased by encouraging the use of more effective methods. We found that these efforts helped electronic cigarettes to be more likely to succeed than those that did not," as written in the report.

4. BRIN Research: Much Lower Toxicity because it Does Not Produce TAR

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the latest findings from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) show that alternative tobacco products have a much lower toxicity profile than cigarettes because they do not involve a combustion process that produces TAR.

The findings are in line with BRIN's 2025 study entitled Evaluation of Laboratory Tests for E-Cigarettes in Indonesia Based on WHO's Nine Toxicants, which shows that electronic cigarettes have lower levels of toxins than cigarettes based on testing of the nine main toxins recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, BRIN's research on heated tobacco products also shows the potential for reducing exposure to harmful substances.

BRIN researcher, Prof. Bambang Prasetya said the results of the study strengthen the evidence that heated tobacco products are able to reduce exposure to various toxic substances compared to cigarettes.

"Studies on heated tobacco products consistently show a reduction in health-risk toxins by up to 80-90 percent compared to cigarettes," explained Prof. Bambang.

Various findings show the consistency of research results from various countries, including Indonesia, that alternative tobacco products have a lower exposure profile of harmful substances compared to cigarettes. Although not a risk-free product, this product can be one of the options for adult smokers who want to switch from smoking habits with a science-based risk reduction approach.