Study assesses impact of Vuse on smoking-related diseases

British American Tobacco (BAT) said 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, whose design has been published in the Journal of Health and Environmental Research, 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.

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.

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. Smoking or vapour usage patterns and overall consumption were not controlled in those entering the study, as the aim was to assess the impact when people using the products did so in their ‘normal’ way rather than in a controlled way.

“This innovative study demonstrates our commitment to researching the reduced-risk potential of our New Category products,” Dr Sharon Goodall, BAT’s group head of regulatory sciences, said.

“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.”