Smoking is well-known for its harmful effects on health, yet myths and misconceptions continue to surround it. While the best choice for any smoker is to quit entirely, there are alternatives that, though not risk-free, may be less harmful than continued smoking.
Understanding the truth behind smoking-related harm and smoke-free alternatives is key to making informed choices. Here are five important things everyone should know.
Smoke Is the Biggest Problem
The harmful effects of smoking stem from the smoke produced by burning tobacco. This smoke contains over 6,000 chemicals, around 100 of which are known to be harmful. Inhalation of these chemicals is the primary cause of smoking-related diseases, making smoke the biggest contributor to health risks.
Nicotine Is Misunderstood
Nicotine is often blamed for the health risks associated with smoking, but it is not the direct cause of smoking-related diseases. Instead, it is the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke that cause damage. Nicotine is addictive, and while it plays a major role in keeping people addicted to smoking, it is not the source of disease-causing harm.
Quitting Tobacco and Nicotine Products Is the Best Choice
The best decision for health is to quit all tobacco and nicotine products. Nicotine triggers the release of dopamine, creating feelings of pleasure and reinforcing the desire to continue using it. However, quitting is possible, and millions of people successfully stop smoking every year. There are various medications and support services available to assist those who wish to quit.
Tar Is Not What You Think It Is
When people refer to “tar” in cigarette smoke, they’re actually talking about a measurement of particulate matter left over after nicotine and water are removed. It’s not a substance in the way we typically think of tar. Smoke-free products, which do not burn tobacco, eliminate smoke and the harmful chemicals found in it, making them less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
Better Alternatives Exist
The key difference between smoke-free products and cigarettes is that smoke-free alternatives deliver nicotine without combustion, eliminating the harmful chemicals found in smoke. While these products are not risk-free, they do represent a better choice for adults who would otherwise continue smoking. Options like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco have the potential to reduce harmful exposure when compared to traditional cigarettes.
The best decision is always to quit, but those who would otherwise continue to smoke may want to explore the science and innovation behind smoke-free alternatives in more detail. Smoke-free products like e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, while still addictive and not risk-free, are a much better alternative for adults than continuing to smoke (if scientifically substantiated and manufactured according to appropriate quality standards).
It’s important to remember that smoke-free products are intended for adults, as alternatives to continued smoking. They are not intended to be cessation products that assist with quitting—as they provide nicotine, which is addictive. Quitting tobacco and nicotine altogether is always the best choice, and medical professionals and recognized stop smoking services can provide advice on quitting.
Many of us know someone who smokes—a friend, family member, or even yourself. Understanding the sources of smoking-related harm and having access to accurate information can help those smokers make an informed choice and move away from cigarettes for good.
Sponsored by Philip Morris Management Services (Middle East) Limited