Pulmonologists consider measures to heat tobacco insufficient

This Wednesday, pulmonologists concluded that new regulatory standards for heated tobacco products are needed to curb rising consumption in Portugal, but argue that they must be accompanied by other measures to make the impact more significant.

New rules on heated tobacco, which is equivalent to regular cigarettes, came into force on Tuesday, accompanied by shocking messages on packaging and a ban on flavorings after being published in Diário da República.

In a note sent to Lusa, Sofia Ravara and Raquel Rosa, coordinators of the Smoking Committee of the Portuguese Society of Pulmonologists (SPP), say that new measures are necessary, but for the impact to be large, they must be accompanied by other initiatives, such as “the introduction of white packaging without color or branding and increasing image sizes.”

It also advocates “a ban on product promotion and misleading ‘marketing’ at points of sale” and regular monitoring of the law prohibiting the promotion, advertising and sponsorship of cultural, social and scientific events in accordance with the application of the WHO Framework Convention. Tobacco control agreement signed by Portugal.

Significant increases in the price of tobacco products through annual tax increases in line with inflation, public awareness campaigns educating the toxicity of heated tobacco products, effective regulation of social media and media marketing are other measures advocated by the government. SPP.

Pulmonologists also suggest “strengthening the NHS advice network and integrated health system response”, as well as encouraging the creation of community smoking cessation programs and quitlines, and partnerships with local authorities. public, private and public organizations.

They also offer reimbursement and affordable prices for smoking cessation medications and media campaigns to encourage people to quit using health services and specialized programs.

The commission emphasizes that “tobacco packaging, when it combines images and text warning of health risks and indicating smoking cessation assistance, has been shown to not only deter young people from experimenting, but also encourage and help smokers to quit.” .

On the other hand, “aromas and flavors make tobacco aerosol milder and more palatable and result in deeper inhalation, making experimentation and transition to regular use easier and making it more difficult to quit smoking”, so it is banned, effective in preventing experimentation and regular use by adolescents who “The aromas and flavors are very appealing and help adult smokers quit using tobacco.”