Investigators: A/Prof Alexander Larcombe, A/Prof Anthony Kicic, Ms Katherine Landwehr
Project description
Heated-tobacco-products (HTPs) are electronic devices that heat processed tobacco, producing an inhalable aerosol containing nicotine, particulate matter and other harmful substances. They are currently sold in over 50 countries and are rapidly increasing in popularity. They are manufactured and marketed by "Big Tobacco" companies as “reduced-risk” alternatives to traditional cigarettes, with the goal of attracting new, young customers to tobacco. The reduced-risk sales pitch is based on the fact that they heat tobacco to ~350ºC rather than combusting it at 600-800ºC (as in a conventional cigarette). According to manufacturers, this reduces the number of harmful substances in the inhaled emissions. That said, there is a severe paucity of unbiased hard-data on the potential health effects due to exposure to heated-tobacco-product emissions. Here, we will expose 3-D human lung cells to emissions generated by the three most popular heated-tobacco-products on the market and measure a range of health outcomes.
Project outputs
Outcome measures will include emission physico-chemistry, cellular viability, barrier permeability and production of inflammatory mediators. This study is poised to provide critical evidence and high-quality scientific outputs that will be of direct relevance to policy makers, in addition to providing pilot data to catalyse additional research in this area.
Collaborators
- Prof Ben Mullins (Curtin)
- Dr Sebastien Allard (Curtin)
Funders of the project
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre Inspiration Award