CORESTA 2024 Congress: Collaboration, Science, and the Future of Reduced-Risk Nicotine Products

The CORESTA 2024 Congress started with a resounding call for collaboration from its president, Joe Thompson. Over a few days in Edinburgh participants delved into the latest scientific research, regulations, and product innovations aimed at reducing the harm caused by smoking.

CORESTA and its members exemplify the power of industry cooperation, where sharing ideas and working together has become a driving force behind advancements in science and regulation. This year’s event centred around “Advancing Tobacco Harm Reduction Through Scientific Collaboration.”

The Importance of Reduced-Risk Nicotine Products

Danielle Tower from BAT highlighted the significant role of reduced-risk nicotine products in decreasing smoking rates globally. She emphasised the importance of collaboration to ensure the rigorous scientific assessments that underpin these products. As she pointed out, the foundation for any reduced-risk product relies on the highest scientific standards.

Shifting the focus to the human impact, Dr Jasjit Ahluwalia presented compelling data on the benefits of electronic cigarettes in helping smokers switch. Previously a proponent of abstinence-only approaches, Ahluwalia now champions reduced-risk products, calling them “the most transformative opportunity” he’s seen in his career.

FDA’s Perspective on Regulation and APPH

Todd Cecil, Deputy Director at the FDA’s CTP, tackled one of the most complex topics of the Congress: “What is APPH?” (Appropriate for the Protection of Public Health). Todd spoke about the intricate challenges of comparing the risks and benefits of different products, emphasising that there is no one-size-fits-all checklist. The session also covered the FDA’s views on testing e-liquids and aerosol mixtures, offering insights into navigating the regulatory landscape.

Cecil discussed the importance of Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) and Longitudinal Cohort Studies (LCS) to demonstrate the benefits of flavoured Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). He stressed that although no outright ban on flavoured products exists, rigorous product-specific scientific evidence is essential.

Product Use Behaviour and Impact

On day two, attention shifted to how users interact with nicotine products. Battelle’s David Hirning opened the session by discussing the value of clinical and behavioural studies in evaluating product use, which is essential for meeting PMTA (Pre-Market Tobacco Application) requirements. Altria’s Joshua Karelitz followed, presenting results from a study of the Ploom Heated Tobacco Product, showing that 31% of participants had switched away from combustibles after six weeks.

The conversation continued with Imperial Brands’ Martin Fitzpatrick sharing data on the PULZE Heated Tobacco product. Results showed significant reductions in combustible use, reinforcing the positive impact of heated tobacco products on adult smokers, even among those who initially had no intention to quit.

Dr Jessica Zdinak of ARAC rounded off the session, presenting data on oral nicotine pouches. Her findings showed that adult smokers had a statistically higher intention to use nicotine pouches than non-users, suggesting a strong potential for these products to reduce cigarette use.

Collaborative Insights for a Complex Industry

As the Congress continued, CORESTA task forces shared updates on ongoing projects. Altria’s Karl Wagner presented progress on the Nicotine Pouches Safety and Quality Guidance Task Force, which is working on guidelines covering ingredients, product characteristics, and labelling.

In another highlight, Shenzhen First Union’s Jinfeng Yuan discussed the complexity of measuring particle size distribution in e-vapour products, which plays a key role in nicotine bioavailability.

The Congress also emphasised the need for ongoing collaboration in developing reliable reference materials, especially given the variation across products. Karen Carter of Juul Labs presented stability studies of JUUL products, aligning with previous research on the reduction of harmful constituents compared to traditional cigarettes.

Looking Forward

The CORESTA 2024 Congress has brought together some of the brightest minds in the industry, demonstrating the importance of collaboration, credible science, and regulation in advancing harm reduction. The shared knowledge and rigorous data presented throughout the event highlight the complexities of designing and testing reduced-risk nicotine products.

Collaboration remains essential whether you’re at the product design stage, preparing regulatory submissions, or navigating post-marketing testing. As the Congress wrapped up, it’s clear that working together will continue to drive the innovation needed to reduce the harm caused by smoking.

If you’re looking to accelerate your product to market, our Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology teams are ready to help you navigate this complex landscape.