New TCRG research on the health effects of HTPs

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A new paper from the Tobacco Control Research Group investigated the health effects of heated tobacco products (HTPs).

The researchers analysed data from clinical trials investigating HTP use, specifically data on biomarkers of potential harm (i.e. measures of changes or effects in the body) and adverse events (i.e. instances of undesired or harmful effects).

This research is the first to systematically review these data and builds on a previous paper from the Tobacco Control Research Group examining the quality of the HTP clinical trials. They found the data from clinical trials conducted to date are so mixed that they provide no clear indication of the relative risks of HTPs, even compared to cigarettes.

Lead author Dr Sophie Braznell explains:

The data we analysed indicated HTPs have the potential to be harmful to both smokers and non-smokers, and that any benefits in smokers who switched to HTPs were limited or inconsistent across studies. While this does not rule out their potential to reduce harm, our findings suggest caution is needed when considering the veracity of the available clinical evidence and any conclusive claims that HTPs are reduced risk alternatives to smoking.

Read the paper:

The impact of heated tobacco products on biomarkers of potential harm and adverse events: a systematic review and meta-analysis, S. Braznell, S. Dance, J. Hartmann-Boyce, AB. Gilmore, Tobacco Control, Published Online First: 30th April 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/tc-2024-059000

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