Studies examine non-burning 'cigarette of the future'

(ANSA) - Rome, March 16 - The latest scientific studies on products that could reduce the risk of smoking-related illnesses were presented to the international scientific community gathered this week in New Orleans for the 55th annual Society of Toxicology meeting, the most important forum on toxicology.
    The project was presented by professor Manuel Peitsch, head of a work group made up of more than 400 scientists with proven experience in various scientific disciplines who have worked for more than 10 years in Philip Morris International research and development centres in Neuchatel, Switzerland and Singapore.
    Over two billion US dollars have been invested with the goal of developing "reduced risk products" that cut down toxic or potentially toxic components while leaving the adult smoker's enjoyment unchanged and coming as close as possible to the flavour and ritual characteristics of cigarettes.
    According to PMI studies, which were presented during a symposium at the meeting's ToxExpo, the main cause of smoking-related illnesses is combustion.
    Eliminating combustion would reduce the formation of harmful or potentially harmful substances by an average of 90% compared to cigarette smoke.
    "The goal of this research was to compare in the laboratory the effects of cigarette smoke to stopping or substituting the same cigarette with heated tobacco," said professor Peitsch.
    "These studies provide additional, encouraging elements on the potential of reducing the damage of contracting smoking-related illnesses," he said.
    "We're particularly proud of their publication in the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the Society of Toxicology, one of the world's most authoritative in its field".
    Philip Morris scientists are therefore working on a technology called "heat not burn", the so-called "cigarette of the future", which was introduced in the Italian market in recent weeks.
    The technology is composed of a heater called iQOS, which contains an internal tobacco cartridge called a heat stick.
    The heat stick is heated by a platinum and ceramic sheet that keeps the temperature under the burning point.
    "Before confirming that the system has less risk or a reduced risk, we will continue to rigorously check the data obtained by scientific research," Peitsch said.
    "That confirmation could also be subject to review and governmental approval around the world, just as it is for the process of validating our scientific proof in the United States with the Food and Drug Administration," he said.
    "The results up to now are very encouraging and we are confident in a positive result of the FDA review".
    The long-term goal of the team led by the former Novartis scientist is ambitious.
    "More than a billion people between the age of 20 and 25 are smokers today. Our hope is to offer them, and to all adult smokers, an alternative through a product able to reduce risks to their health. It's an enormous challenge that can't ignore the completion and validation of all research underway, in close cooperation with government health organisations worldwide with whom we are already working favorably".