Argentina Will No Longer Allow the Import, Distribution, Marketing, or Promotion of Heated Tobacco P

Today, March 29, reports indicate that the South American country of Argentina has announced through Resolution No. 565/2023 published in the official gazette that the Ministry of Health will no longer allow the import, distribution, marketing, or promotion of heated tobacco products (PTC).

This measure aims to limit the use of products deemed harmful to health. In this way, it aims to encourage people to access reliable information based on scientific evidence to understand the health impacts of all forms of tobacco use.

The so-called heated tobacco products use an electrical device to heat special cigarettes containing reconstituted tobacco to a temperature that does not produce combustion. Although they are marketed as low-risk products, there is currently no independent research showing that they are harmless to health. On the contrary, some investigations confirm that they contain many toxic substances found in regular cigarettes, in some cases at higher concentrations.

This initiative is part of a series of actions undertaken by the National Comprehensive Approach to Non-Communicable Diseases (DNAIENT) within the framework of the national tobacco control program (PNCT) aimed at preventing the initiation of tobacco consumption, reducing tobacco consumption, protecting the population from environmental tobacco smoke, and promoting smoking cessation.

Tobacco use is one of the main risk factors for non-communicable diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in developed countries and is also the most significant cause of loss of life and/or disability. In Argentina, it is estimated that 40,000 people die from this cause each year.

Tobacco is directly related to the onset of many diseases, primarily different types of cancer (lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, etc.); cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms); respiratory diseases (chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); and recurrent respiratory infections.

It is always time to quit smoking, and with help, quitting is more likely to be achieved.

Argentina also has smoking cessation centers with trained medical teams to assist those with nicotine addiction.

By quitting smoking, individuals can gain immediate and long-term health benefits. According to scientific evidence, within 20 minutes of quitting, heart rate and blood pressure decrease. Within the next 12 hours, carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal. After 2-12 weeks, blood circulation improves, and lung function enhances. Within 1-9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease, and within 1 year, the risk of coronary heart disease is 50% lower than that of smokers.

At the same time, after 5 years of quitting, the risk of stroke decreases. Within 10 years, the risk of lung cancer is reduced to 50% of that of smokers, and the risks of oral cancer, pharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, and pancreatic cancer also decrease. After 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is comparable to that of non-smokers.

Promoting healthy diets, regular physical exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco substances can prevent non-communicable diseases and promote better community living.