BAT says it has conducted a first-of-its-kind study of Vuse designed to assess and provide insights into the real-world health impact of vaping. The study compares biomarker measures from Vuse consumers who have been using the product for over six months with the results from smokers, former smokers and never smokers. Protocol details explaining the innovative design of the latest study were published in the Journal of Health and Environmental Research.
The cross-sectional study design uses a single set of data readings to measure exposure to certain toxicants and indicators of potential harm related to several smoking-related diseases in people who have been exclusively using Vuse.
The biomarkers selected are important indicators that can be used to demonstrate:
- Biomarkers of Exposure: A person’s exposure to certain toxicants or chemicals
- Biomarkers of Potential Harm: Indicators of potential harm related to several smoking-related diseases, such as respiratory or cardiovascular disease
BAT says it is hoped that the results, which are currently being analysed and will be published later this year, will provide further supportive evidence that using Vuse can reduce relative risk for certain diseases among adult consumers compared to smoking. It is expected that once available, the results will add to the growing body of evidence on Vuse’s potential as a Reduced-Risk Product.
Dr Sharon Goodall, BAT’s Group Head of Regulatory Sciences, said: “This innovative study demonstrates our commitment to researching the reduced-risk potential of our New Category products. What makes it particularly relevant and exciting is that the results generated will be from people who have been using Vuse as they normally would for more than six months prior to testing. The results will provide important new insights and show us the differences between Vuse users, smokers and former smokers across a range of important biomarkers thought to be predictive of disease development. We look forward to sharing the data once available.”
Unlike longitudinal studies where participants attend multiple clinic visits over an extended period of time, participants in this study made a single clinic visit where samples of blood, urine and other measurements were collected. These samples were then tested for “biomarkers of exposure” (to selected cigarette smoke toxicants) and “biomarkers of potential harm”. Differences between the groups were assessed, rather than changes from baseline. In addition, to ensure compliance, the Vuse and former smoker groups were tested for the biomarker, CEVal, which indicates if they have recently smoked cigarettes.
References:
- Biomarkers of Exposure and Potential Harm in Exclusive Users of Electronic Cigarettes and Current, Former and Never-Smokers - https://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/paperinfo?journalid=344&doi=10.11648/j.jher.20220802.17
