No More Smoke Smell, This is the Reason Many People Switch to Alternative Tobacco Products

Illustration. (Photo: Dok. Antara)

JAKARTA - Alternative tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes or vape and heated tobacco products are increasingly sought after by adult smokers to switch from smoking habits. Factors such as comfort such as the absence of cigarette smoke smell to no passive smokers are the reasons many consumers say when choosing the product.

Chairman of the Indonesian Personal Vaporizer Association (AKVINDO), Paido Siahaan, confirmed this. He saw that more and more adult smokers were starting to look for options that were more suitable for their needs.

"From the consumer's point of view, the main reason they switch to alternative tobacco products is because they want to reduce exposure to cigarette smoke and odor. Consumers assess the use of alternative tobacco products as feeling cleaner, lighter, and not too disruptive to those around them," said Paido, Thursday, June 11.

Paido revealed that the factor of the absence of cigarette smoke and tar produced from the combustion process, which usually sticks to clothes or rooms, is a very big consideration for consumers. Tar itself is a carcinogenic compound that causes cancer.

According to Paido, the increasing interest of adult smokers to switch to alternative tobacco products is because they feel more comfortable without the smell of cigarettes sticking around.

"Many users say that the smell of cigarettes stuck on clothes, hair, vehicles, or rooms is one of the main reasons they start looking for alternatives. In the experience of consumers, alternative tobacco products are considered more comfortable because they do not produce smoke from burning tobacco like cigarettes," he added.

The comfort felt by users of this alternative tobacco product is also supported by scientific studies. Based on a research by Chang'an University, China, entitled Characteristics of second-hand exposure to aerosols from e-cigarettes published in 2024, it was found that the harmful substances content of vape vapor (aerosol) is lower than that of cigarette smoke. Although there are still particles released into the air, this study shows that the air around the user has a lower level of pollutants compared to exposure to smoke from tobacco combustion.

The real experience of change after switching from smoking habits was also conveyed by Rifqi, a vape user. In his daily life, he admitted that he felt a significant physical change after using alternative tobacco products.

"The most obvious change is that the body feels more fit. It turns out that the proof is in the medical check-up results, the results are much better than before when I was still smoking," said Rifqi.

According to him, support from the surrounding environment is one of the important things in the process of switching to alternative tobacco products.

"The role of the closest people in supporting is very important, but more importantly is our daily environment in socializing because without their support it is impossible to feel that you can switch without a very big determination," he continued.

In addition to environmental support, Rifqi also admitted that he had sought more research-based information to understand the products he chose. He said the results of research from the UK Health Security Agency, which said the risk profile of alternative tobacco products was up to 90 percent lower than cigarettes, was one of the references that helped him understand the options used.