San Salvador, August 25 (Prenza Latina) In an environment where science and technology go hand in hand in favor of people, thousands of smokers are fighting today to quit the cigarette habit because of its health hazards.
In this situation, there are few professionals working „entirely and exclusively” to reduce the harm or risk of smoking and for a smoke-free world, said Andrea Costantini, a doctor and expert from Argentina. Philip Morris for its mission to bring proven tobacco-free products to market.
Recently, this new technology entered El Salvador, offering alternatives and eliminating 95 percent of the toxic substances that are harmful to smokers, avoiding smoke because it does not burn the cigarette, but rather heats the tobacco. Nicotine. , according to local media.
Hand in hand with science and technology, Philip Morris International (PMI), the world’s largest tobacco company, has presented IQOS, a controlled tobacco heating device, here.
But, in addition, this initiative also has an economic aspect on the table by prestigious research centers and universities.
In this regard, a study revealed that switching to electronic cigarettes or other non-flammable devices could represent millions in savings for the health system of the United Kingdom, for example 500 million pounds sterling. per year (630 million 700 thousand US dollars).
Research from London’s Brunel University determined that there would be savings in the costs of smoking and smoking-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
The study, published in the British Journal of Healthcare Management, was based on an analysis of data on smoking as a cause of death, as well as the risk of developing five diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
If 50 percent of smokers switched to lower-risk alternatives, there would be significant savings in hospitalizations and other health care costs.
The research highlighted that the savings would also be significant for the health and social care costs of smoking, which are more than double the cost of smoking to the UK health system, at more than $2.5 trillion annually.
Professor Francesco Moscone, a business economist at Brunel University London and one of the research participants, said the switch from traditional cigarettes to vaping could be an important opportunity.
In this line, Deborah Arnott, executive director of the Smoking and Health (ASH) Foundation, supported the University of London’s research for its benefits to the country’s economy and health, which has yet to overcome unproven beliefs. The science behind the alleged harm that vaping can cause.
It should be noted that the results of this new study are in stark contrast to the recommendations arising from the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the World Health Organization. Alternatives.
The Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP10) in Panama next November will help coalesce policies to reduce the risk or harm to tobacco users.
Meanwhile, in a country with one of the world’s largest underground cigarette markets, where nine out of 10 cigarettes consumed come from the illegal market, the phenomenon is fueled by the millionaire costs reflected in the budget. of the Ministry of Local Health.
Despite all that, new harm reduction technologies have burst onto the market as alternatives in El Salvador.