Philip Morris International (PMI) affiliate in Bulgaria and the local independent scientific organization Arbilis organised a media webinar to discuss the latest evidence behind e-cigarettes Tobacco smoking has been one of the most significant causes for cancer and other deadly cardio-vascular diseases across the globe. Since people continue to smoke even while knowing these negative impacts, governments and organizations have been striving to introduce alternatives that are both efficient and less harmful. The media webinar that shed light on expert views from different scientific fields on a variety of topics supporting PMI's objectives around scientific and regulatory communications. Under the name 'Questions and Answers on E-cigarettes: The experts have the word', the webinar was attended by Prof. Borislav Georgiev, Head of Cardiology clinic at National Cardiology Hospital, Sofia, Dr. Peter Harper, a leading medical oncologist and consultant at Guy's and St Thomas Hospital for over 25 years, Prof. Angel Gonzalez Ureña, Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Department of Applied Physical Chemistry, in addition to multiple media representatives. "The highest risk of complications is associated with tobacco smoking. This created the need for harm reduction, designing a smoke-free environment by means of smoke-free alternatives whereby we should make it possible for the people not only to switch away from smoking but also stop harming the non-smokers with cigarette smoke. Combustion causes toxic emissions, and this is why e-cigarettes were introduced as less harmful. According to Public Health England, e-cigarettes are about 95% safer than smoking," said Georgieve. During the webinar, which included a short Q&A session at the end, these experts discussed e-cigarettes and their potential to reduce the harm from smoking, types of e-cigarettes and the differences between them, the harm reduction approach, and understanding these reduced risk alternatives. "Tobacco smoke contains more than 6,000 chemicals & ultrafine particles. 93 of these are listed by the US FDA as harmful and potentially harmful constituents. Of these, the majority are carcinogens or potential carcinogens," said Harper. she also stressed that quitting tobacco smoking is by far the best option. For decades, smoking has remained one of the few problems with no solution. But after technology and science joined hands, there came an alternative for smokers who choose to continue smoking, but with less harmful effects.
