Analytical evaluation of the chemical content of HTPs compared to conventional cigarettes

Cigarette smoking is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Despite well-known health risks, quitting remains a challenge for many smokers. This review aims to critically assess heated tobacco products (HTPs) as potentially less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes. This mini-review synthesizes findings from over 400 articles published in high-impact journals. Studies funded by tobacco companies or those with potential conflicts of interest were excluded to ensure unbiased results. Comprehensive analysis indicates that HTPs contain substantially fewer harmful and potentially harmful compounds (HPHCs) than conventional cigarettes. Because HTPs heat the tobacco instead of burning it, they prevent the production of harmful combustion byproducts. Nicotine levels in HTPs were found to be comparable to those in conventional cigarettes, offering similar experiences for users. HTPs are not entirely free of harmful substances, they contain significantly fewer HPHCs due to the absence of combustion. The current body of evidence suggests that HTPs could serve as safer substitutes for smokers who have difficulty quitting. HTPs appear to be a promising option for harm reduction, especially since they do not produce combustion byproducts, which are a major source of carcinogens in traditional cigarettes.