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Differences Between Heated Tobacco (HNB) and NEAFS

It is without a doubt that ‘traditional smoking’ brings a lot of health issues. It is to the point that the Philippine government forced the cigarette companies to print out warnings about the negative health effects of smoking on every cigarette pack that is within the country’s territory. It even included pictures of actual cases.

Accompanying such a move, they raised the taxes for producing cigarettes. As a result, it more than doubled the prices for each stick of cigarettes bought out of the store. The purpose is to intimidate people into quitting the use of cigarettes.

On the other side of the world, other ‘safer’ alternatives to smoking are being explored by the masses. The alternative was called “heated tobacco.” It is said to be safer, but is it really safe? Is there a much safer alternative to this alternative?

HEATED TOBACCO AND NEAFS

Heated tobacco is an alternative to traditional smoking that follows the concept of “heat-not-burn.” As the name implies, it does not follow the traditional way of burning. Instead, it bakes the heat sticks at 350°C heat. That is 550°C less than the actual heat needed to burn a traditional cigarette. In the process, they use heating devices like the IQOS, a brand name of Philip Morris International, and a heat stick called HEETS.

Heated tobacco is still tobacco but claimed to be ‘a lot safer’ than the traditional. Once the stick is baked, unlike the traditional way of smoking, it does not combust. Instead, due to the heat, it releases aerosols that can be inhaled. It boasted a generous 95% reduction in the toxins it emitted. Therefore, becoming safer for consumption compared to the traditional and also decreases the risk of second-hand smoking.

On the other hand, NEAFS is a company that is based in Orlando, Florida. Their products were approved by the UK’s MHRA on the 15th of November, 2022. They have produced two products so far. The first is the heating device called “TEO.” It works pretty much like the IQOS heating device with a few differences in an appearance here and there. The second one is their unique heat sticks. I say unique because they really are. It is a great alternative to tobacco and heated tobacco. As to why? Continue reading this article and you will be surprised by the revolutionary idea it holds. Aside from its ‘unique’ aspect and being way healthier than the ‘healthy alternative’, the way it works and how it looks is pretty much the same.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HEATED TOBACCO (HNB) and NEAFS

I will say this right of the bat again. Heated tobacco products like HEETS is still tobacco. No matter how smoking tobacco cigarette is ‘healthier’ through a heating process, it still contains the toxins that exist in every other cigarette. Smoke and tar are undeniably removed. Yet, tar is not the only substance it held. There is also the level of nicotine. It is a substance that is not, in any way, inferior to cocaine when it comes to being addictive.

HEETS boasted a generous reduction to the consumption of nicotine. IQOS said that each of their heat sticks contains a minuscule amount of 0.5% nicotine. But research

says otherwise. A study conducted by a university in Switzerland concluded that each stick of HEETS contains 4.1 mg of nicotine. That is not an amount that should be neglected once each heat stick stacks this amount together in a single day. Although the amount of nicotine within a stick is different to the amount of nicotine consumed, if you do the math, it is still significantly higher than what the company boasted.

On the other hand, NEAFS is different. If HEETS still used tobacco as the main substance, NEAFS used tea leaves. Yes, that’s right. Teas are no longer just for drinking. It is also now used as a healthier alternative to smoking.

Actually, it’s not just tea. They also use mint, edible favors, vegetable Glycerine, and Propylene Glycol. They had multiple favors to choose from; Original Tobacco (this one had 1.5% nicotine strength), Menthol, Cofee, Strawberry, and Mojito. Yet, despite the diferent favors, its base taste is still tobacco. A non-tobacco alternative that tastes like tobacco.

If you are a seasoned smoker and are trying to quit while not forcing yourself too quickly, NEAFS is the best alternative for you. Avoiding tobacco yet, you’d still have the familiar taste and look of a tobacco cigarette.

Unlike HEETS, NEAFS is way more afordable. It is also accessible for smokers who are using an IQOS heating device because each stick of NEAFS is compatible with both IQOS heating devices and TEOs. You don’t really need to buy a new heating device just to switch to a much healthier alternative.

SPECIFICATIONS OF NEAFS’ TEO AND HEATING STICKS

Each NEAFS heatstick had a measure of 45 × 6mm, a seasoned smoker may fnd the look weird, yet aside from the size, it looked just like a regular cigarette stick. It’s package also looked just like a regular packet of cigarettes. Each package had 20 sticks that are divided and sealed into two compartments. The NEAFS also put a lot of thoughts in the design of their TEO heating device. It is pocket friendly because of its dimensions. It has a height of 116mm, a width of 28mm, and a surprising thickness of 16mm. Due to its small size, TEO’s weight is negligible.

It had a preheating time of 20 seconds and a charging time of two hours. The battery had a capacity of 1700mAh and it can live through an average of 20 sticks.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF NEAFS

NEAFS is an alternative that is way more healthier than the claimed healthy alternative tobacco HEETS. Like what I mentioned, HEETS is still tobacco. Despite the absence of tar and carbon monoxide, it still had other toxins left. This point is so overlooked due to the hype built by ads that highlight its ‘health benefts’ too much. Yet, this risk is non-existent in NEAFS. One of its heatsticks had 1.5% nicotine strength, yet, it is considered as a harmless, clean nicotine because NEAFS don’t have toxic chemical compounds like tobacco HEETS does. There are also NEAFS heatsticks that are nicotine-free. You can choose what you prefer and stay completely safe.

NEAFS is expected to have zero toxic chemical compounds the traditional tobacco (including tobacco HEETS) has. Since that is the case, it is also expected that the danger that comes along with traditional smoking will be non-existent in the use of NEAFS.

FINAL THOUGHT

In conclusion, traditional smoking has been known to have serious negative health efects and has been addressed by the Philippine government through measures such as warning labels on cigarette packs and increased taxes on cigarettes. While some people may consider using alternative products such as heated tobacco or NEAFS as a safer alternative to smoking, it is important to note that these products are not completely safe and can still pose risks to health.

The best way to protect your health is to quit tobacco use altogether. There are several options available, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products and NEAFS tobacco-free alternatives, that can help you quit smoking, and seeking support from friends, family, or a healthcare provider or quitline can also be benefcial. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for you.