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S059-4

On the Strategies for the Harm Reduction of Tobacco Products

Kohji Takada

Department of Psychology, Teikyo University, Japan

Background/Objective: Tobacco leaves contain nicotine, and it has been postulated that tobacco use
is ultimately a self-administration of nicotine, and hence various tobacco products have been thought
to be “nicotine delivery devices.”

Method: In this regard the fact that smoking is the ubiquitous way to use tobacco products is
considered to be because the inhalation is one of the most efficient ways to absorb chemicals, in this
case nicotine, into the body.

Result: Since the harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) of tobacco smoke are
generated via the combustion process, one of the main strategies of tobacco companies to reduce
harm is to make tobacco products without this process (e.g. “heat-not-burn”). However, if the
tobacco use is simply to obtain nicotine, a device which delivers pure nicotine (e.g. “e-cigarettes”
which provide nicotine vapor) would be the best choice to those who do not wish to or cannot quit, in
order to avoid HPHCs.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that acupuncture might help in smoking cessation by attenuating
cravings for smoking cues and smoking cues-induced brain responses. The current investigation of
the specific brain activation patterns associated with acupuncture action in the modulation of
smoking-cue reactivity provides more information about the neurobiological mechanisms underlying
the application of this modality among those with smokers.