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Editorial
. 2023 Dec 13;33(1):103-109.
doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057081.

Assessing use of inhalable nicotine products within complex markets: the dilemma of heated tobacco products

Connor Richard Miller  1 , Steve S Xu  2 , Danielle M Smith  3 , Edward Sutanto  3 , Maciej Lukasz Goniewicz  3 , Anne C K Quah  2 , Geoffrey T Fong  2   4
Affiliations
Editorial

Assessing use of inhalable nicotine products within complex markets: the dilemma of heated tobacco products

Connor Richard Miller et al. Tob Control. .

Abstract

The introduction of electronic inhalable products, such as nicotine vaping products (NVPs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs), has further diversified the nicotine market landscape. This poses unique challenges in measuring self-reported nicotine use behaviours, which have been the hallmark of tobacco surveillance systems. This paper raises concerns of potential measurement error for electronic inhalable product use in surveys due to similarities in product design between NVPs and HTPs, as well as changing trends in cannabis administration. We identify several strategies for addressing this issue (eg, including descriptive preambles in surveys that differentiate product classes from one another; incorporating survey questions that probe beyond an initial question regarding product use). In the absence of comprehensive validation studies, caution is warranted when interpreting survey results that rely on self-reported HTP use.

Keywords: Electronic nicotine delivery devices; Nicotine; Non-cigarette tobacco products; Surveillance and monitoring.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: GTF has served as an expert witness or consultant for governments defending their country’s policies or regulations in litigation. GTF has served as a paid expert consultant to the Ministry of Health of Singapore in reviewing the evidence on plain/standardised packaging. MLG received research grant from Pfizer and served as a member of scientific advisory board to Johnson & Johnson.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Various heated tobacco product and nicotine vaping product devices.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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