Recently, tobacco giant Philip Morris, has launched its revolutionized smokeless cigarette which promises 90 percent less toxin content which has the ability to deliver the same nicotine hit, as compared to the ordinary types of cigar. The company proudly said that it could in fact pave the way for traditional cigarettes to be phased out sooner or later. As revealed by the company, the IQOS product costs £45, is already on sale in over a dozen markets, including Japan, Switzerland and Italy.
IQOS: How Different Is It From The Rest?
According to Daily Mail, it was found that the electronic device is used with mini tobacco sticks as opposed to a nicotine-laced liquid that usually costs £8 for 20. As experts of the said product explains the process of using it, they are then placed into the device before being heated, which makes it much less harmful due to the fact that no burning of tobacco takes place in the entire action.
Despite these claims, health experts believe that the new device will never be safer than e-cigarettes and doesn't appear to be a safe option. However, in one of the company's statement revealed by Mogaznews, Andre Calantzopoulos the company's chief executive, has claimed that there will come a moment in time where I would say we have sufficient adoption of these alternative products... to start envisaging, together with governments, a phase-out period for cigarettes, adding that he hopes this time will really come soon. It was found that the tobacco giant, who also manufactures Marlboro cigarettes everywhere except the US, gets the vast majority of its sales and profits from traditional cigarettes.
Meanwhile, chief executive of ASH Deborah Arnott, said that Philip Morris has only stated that their product has the ability to potentially reduce the risk of smoking, thus, it also goes without saying that if smokers switch to electronic cigarettes or other products that can be shown to cut the risks to their health, this could lead to a big improvement in public health. However, she adds, we still need independent evidence to support any claims made by the tobacco industry.
The World Health Organization predicts more than 1 billion tobacco-related deaths will occur this century. On the other hand, Philip Morris' director of scientific engagement, Dr. Moira Gilchrist has assured their consumers that the studies conducted on IQOS are well advanced.
