Vapouround magazine Issue 14 | Page 35

Birth rate Relapse to NGP Quit NGP Never smoker Switch to smoking NGP user (never smoker) Former NGP user (never smoker) Relapse to smoking Relapse to dual use NGP to dual use Initiate smoking Initiate dual use Initiate smoking Current smoker Relapse to smoking Relapse to smoking Revert to smoking NGP dual user Quit Smoker to dual use Relapse to smoking NGP to dual use Switch to NGP Quit smoking Initiate NGP Former NGP dual user NGP user (smoking history) Dual use to NGP Revert to NGP Quit NGP Relapse to NGP Former smoker Former NGP user (smoking history) Relapse to dual use Relapse to dual use Figure 4: Population Effects Model Schematic • Population studies: Dossier E-cigarettes haven’t been around for a very long time so there isn’t a lot of information on how their widespread, long-term availability might impact a population, as opposed to an individual. To test this theory, we have developed computer models that use the information we have today, such as who is likely to use an e-cigarette: a smoker, an ex-smoker, a non-smoker, etc. This model tests various scenarios over decades (how complicated this can get can be seen in Figure 4). Using this model, our studies indicate that the wide availability of an e-cigarette such as Vype ePen can have an overall harm reduction effect because more people may quit smoking or not start at all when e-cigarettes are widely available. Taken together, these results form the basis of a comprehensive dossier of scientifi c data that lay the groundwork for establishing this product’s reduced-risk potential compared to cigarettes*. A dossier like this can take years to create – years of testing and years of analysing data. But this category is very fast moving, and there are new and potentially improved products appearing all the time. If a dossier like this were to become a requirement for every iteration of every type of product for which such a dossier has already been created, this would drastically slow down the rate of progress and the variety of devices and e-liquids on the market. This would not be good for or acceptable to vapers and would not be good for harm reduction. We think the framework of tests that we have created could help provide datasets for product families so that the whole process does not need to be repeated for every new generation of the same product. This would help get new products developed, assessed and brought to market more quickly. It is important that this kind of testing be done. Consumers and regulators want this kind of information. It is also important, however, that innovators can continue to innovate and that vapers continue to be excited about and get what they want from their vaping products. In 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration provided draft guidance for companies wishing to introduce novel reduced- risk tobacco products to the US market place. A dossier of scientifi c evidence would be required to support any submission for such a Modifi ed Risk Tobacco Product Application. * Scientists at British American Tobacco tested and compared emissions from a Vype ePen e-cigarette and a reference conventional cigarette in laboratory tests. These results do not necessarily mean that the Vype ePen produces less adverse health effects than tobacco products. VM14 | 33