The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled that IQOS, a product of the tobacco company Philip Morris International, which heats but does not burn tobacco, can be classified as a "modified tobacco product" (MRTP) and that informing consumers about reduced exposure to harmful substances when using this device is in line with promoting public health.
The IQOS tobacco heating system is the first and only electronic product to use nicotine and which the FDA has classified into the category of "modified hazardous products," explaining the decision with the following conclusions:
o IQOS heats but does not burn tobacco;
o The use of this device significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals;
o Scientific research confirms that a complete transition from classic cigarettes to IQOS, reduces the body's exposure to harmful and potentially harmful substances.
"This decision by the FDA represents a historic moment in the field of public health, in the area of ??disease prevention caused by smoking. It contributes significantly to the growing scientific consensus that IQOS is a better choice than continuing. to smoke tobacco, "said Radmilo Vla?i?, General Manager of Philip Morris for Albania, adding that the tobacco heating system, IQOS, is fundamentally different from the regulatory framework for traditional cigarettes, as recognized by the Food and Drug Administration. of the US in this decision.
Cooperation between governments and public health organizations, as demonstrated on this occasion in the United States, would accelerate the transition of adult smokers to products that are a better choice for their health. The only option not to risk it is to never start or leave all nicotine products completely. But for those who don’t leave, the best they can do is switch completely to controlled, scientifically based, smoke-free products.
As of March 31, 2020, 10.6 million smokers worldwide have completely given up cigarettes and moved to IQOS, "Vla?i? added, adding that innovations such as IQOS could dramatically accelerate the decline in the number of smokers. an opportunity of the century not to be missed. "
The decision to grant Philip Morris permission after the MRTP application to classify the IQOS system as a modified tobacco product was followed by a comprehensive analysis of the extensive scientific documentation the company submitted to the agency in December 2016. This decision was preceded by approval. of the FDA from April 2019, which enabled the commercialization of IQOS in the US market.
