Toxicity profiles of oral nicotine pouches versus cigarettes

~ Imperial Brands to present posters at Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting demonstrating latest potential harm reduction data plus comprehensive approach to product stewardship ~

Imperial Brands will present two scientific posters covering important considerations in the field of tobacco harm reduction (THR) at this year’s Society of Toxicology Meeting in San Diego, US, on March 22 to 25. The two posters will draw on the latest scientific research and explore the substantiation of next generation products (NGPs), like oral nicotine pouches (ONPs), as well as how to safeguard consumers through expert product stewardship and responsible manufacturing.

The first poster, presented by Matthew Stevenson, Scientific Substantiation Senior Manager, focuses on the toxicity differences between ONPs and cigarettes. It draws on the latest scientific research where, in seeking to better understand the complex cellular interactions occurring at the oral mucosal interface, Imperial Brands worked with industry experts on a novel oral-immune co-culture model. This allowed the detailed assessment of the toxicological impact of ONP compared to cigarette smoke extracts.

The findings? ONP are more than 200 times less cytotoxic than typical cigarette smoke extracts, while also presenting no apparent genotoxicity risks.

The second poster is presented by Ourania Komini, Senior Product Stewardship Toxicologist. Titled ‘Chemical characterisation of nicotine pouches and comparison to combustible cigarettes’, it compares their chemical profiles to better inform Imperial’s approach to toxicological evaluation and product stewardship with regard to ONP.

“We’re proud that our comprehensive approach to product stewardship means consumers who use Imperial Brands products can be confident in their quality,” commented Matthew Stevenson. “Toxicological assessment is the foundation of our harm‑reduction mission: delivering products that meet strict internal safety criteria. Every formulation we develop goes through a structured safety* evaluation, giving us confidence in the products we put in consumers’ hands. The results of the studies to be presented at the SOT conference add to the growing weight-of-evidence suggesting responsibly manufactured and marketed NGP like nicotine pouches have considerable tobacco harm reduction potential,”

To find out more about the science behind oral nicotine pouches, visit the Imperial Brands Science website.

*Please note that in the context of this quote, use of the word ‘safety’ refers specifically to product quality, and isn’t intended to imply that Imperial Brands’ NGP are risk-free (i.e. ‘safe’) from the perspective of absolute harm.