Japanese QleanAir company announced the results of a survey on April 22nd,comparing the differences between heated tobacco and traditional cigarettes,with 40%of non-smokers believing there is not much difference.
This online survey was conducted from November 27th to 30th,2023,with 300 participants aged between 20 and 60 who were non-smokers,including both men and women.
What is the difference between regular cigarettes and heated cigarettes?
When asked about the differences between regular cigarettes and heated tobacco products,over half of the respondents indicated that they had little or no knowledge about the differences between the two.
Heated tobacco products generate tobacco vapor for inhalation by heating tobacco leaves with electricity,rather than burning the leaves as traditional cigarettes do.Compared to traditional combustible cigarettes,heated tobacco products do not release smoke or secondhand smoke,nor do they produce ash.Due to these characteristics,heated tobacco products have gradually gained market popularity in recent years.
Impressions of heated cigarettes from the perspective of non-smokers
In the survey about the impressions of heated cigarettes among non-smokers,about 40%of the respondents stated:"They are all cigarettes,and I don't think there is much difference between them."
Some respondents believed that heated cigarettes are healthier and more environmentally friendly than traditional cigarettes,with opinions such as"Heated cigarettes seem to be less harmful to health"and"The smell of heated cigarettes is less than traditional cigarettes."However,for those non-smokers who do not truly understand the difference between heated tobacco and regular cigarettes,their view is:"No matter which,they are all cigarettes."
What non-smokers expect from heated tobacco users
When QleanAir asked non-smokers what they expect from heated tobacco users,many expressed that they hope heated tobacco users will adhere to basic smoking etiquette and consider the feelings of non-smokers.
Some respondents were dissatisfied with uncivilized behaviors such as littering,discarding cigarette butts carelessly,and smoking in non-designated areas.Additionally,a small number of people held extreme views,such as"I do not want any contact with smokers,"reflecting a significant divide between non-smokers and smokers.
Non-smokers'opinions on the revised Health Promotion Law
When asked about their satisfaction with the smoking area segregation measures stipulated in the revised Health Promotion Law,only 17%of respondents expressed satisfaction.
Similarly,17%of respondents expressed dissatisfaction.Almost half of the respondents,or 46%,had a negative attitude towards this issue.Moreover,37%of respondents indicated that they were not familiar with the related measures.
Are the smoking area segregation measures in the revised Health Promotion Law sufficient?
When asked about their views on the smoking area segregation measures in the revised Health Promotion Law,those with a negative attitude pointed out that although these measures have only been in place for a few years,43%believe that the rules have not been effectively enforced from the beginning.
Additionally,a significant number of people are skeptical about the effectiveness of these segregation measures:14%of respondents believe that"many facilities still allow smoking,"and 18%think that"there is insufficient consideration for non-smokers."This indicates that dissatisfaction with these measures remains widespread.
For those respondents who were unfamiliar with the smoking segregation measures in the revised Health Promotion Law,the survey also inquired about which aspects of the legal reforms they were aware of.
While many people are aware that smoking is banned in public places such as schools,hospitals,and government agencies,as well as indoors in offices and workplaces,they are not clear that under certain conditions,some facilities are allowed to have indoor smoking,and at the same time,people under 20 are prohibited from entering smoking rooms.
The government has implemented smoking area segregation measures with the slogan"From etiquette to rules,"aiming to reduce the harm of secondhand smoke.However,from the perspective of non-smokers,these measures seem far from sufficient.This also reflects the relatively low level of public awareness of the new rules.
How to create an office environment comfortable for both non-smokers and smokers?
To create an office environment suitable for both smokers and non-smokers,QleanAir also asked respondents what conditions they think an ideal smoking area should have.
Most people believe that an ideal smoking area should be"where smoke and fumes do not leak,"indicating that non-smokers are most concerned about avoiding the smoke and odor generated during smoking from affecting them.
When QleanAir further inquired whether they would like to install high-performance air purifiers in the workplace as part of the smoking area segregation measures,more than half of the respondents expressed support.
When discussing expectations for office air purifiers,respondents most hope for"strong deodorization and purification capabilities,"followed by"ability to cover a large space"and"low noise during operation."
In summary,this survey shows that non-smokers have limited awareness of the differences between heated tobacco and conventional cigarettes and hold varying views and expectations about heated tobacco products.Although heated tobacco products are popular in the market because they do not produce smoke and secondhand smoke,a significant proportion of the non-smoking population still believes there is not much difference between heated tobacco and traditional cigarettes and has expectations for the behavior of smokers.