NEW IN-VITRO STUDY DEMONSTRATES BLU’S HARM REDUCTION POTENTIAL

As part of our commitment to making a meaningful contribution to tobacco harm reduction (THR), Imperial Brands continues to assess our Next Generation Product (NGP) portfolio relative to combustible tobacco.

Previous research has demonstrated vape aerosols possess a simpler chemical composition than cigarette smoke, containing fewer and substantially lower levels of toxicants (harmful chemicals). In the laboratory, this has previously translated to markedly reduced biological measures of in-vitro toxicity in human cells. 

As we continue to test our newest pod-based vape innovation, blu 2.0, we adopted a similar approach.

Our latest research – presented at the British Toxicological Society Annual Congress 2023 – compared a selection of blu 2.0 e-liquid (tobacco, menthol and ‘blue ice’) aerosols to cigarette smoke across three established[efn_note]The three assays comprise CORESTA’s recommended battery of in-vitro testing.[/efn_note] regulatory toxicological assays.

• Neutral red uptake (NRU) assay. Measures cytotoxicity, considered a potential step in several chronic disease processes associated with smoking – like cancer, cardiovascular disease and emphysema. 

• Ames test. Assesses mutagenicity, which is the ability of substances to affect the genetic material in cells. 

• In vitro micronucleus (IVM) test. Measures genotoxicity, the damage to the structure or function of genetic material often mechanistically linked with the development of cancers. 

Under the conditions of test, we obtained the following results: 

• Cigarette smoke induced a strong and statistically significant positive response across all three assays. 

• In contrast, blu 2.0 was negative in both the IVM and Ames assays, while its new ceramic wick technology helped enable it to achieve >99% reduction of cytotoxicity compared to cigarette smoke in the NRU assay.

Figure 1: Representative average reductions in in-vitro toxicity for blu 2.0 compared to cigarette smoke 

Matthew Stevenson, Investigative & Mechanistic Toxicology Senior Manager and study co-author, commented: “As a scientist it’s great to see more evidence proving the reduced levels of toxicants in blu 2.0 are reflected in substantially reduced biological responses compared to cigarette smoke, in-vitro.

“We’ll continue to produce compelling consumer-facing evidence across all stages of our multidisciplinary Scientific Assessment Framework to demonstrate the THR potential of our NGP portfolio.” 

Mattia de Dominicis, Global Innovation Director, added: “It’s fantastic news for adult smokers and adult nicotine users that our advances in e-liquid wicking and atomisation technologies are resulting in cleaner vape aerosols.

“The recent launch of our new consumer connections centre and innovation hub demonstrates our passion and commitment to continue to provide adult smokers with state-of-the-art NGP that encourage them to switch to potentially harm reduced smoking alternatives.”

Florence Greep, Imperial Brands EVP Category Director, concludes: “Continuing technological breakthroughs – like the ceramic heating technology featured in blu 2.0 – are allowing us to create even more compelling products for our consumers.

“I look forward to seeing blu 2.0 – as well as our new disposable vape, blu bar – play an important role in helping Imperial Brands continue to make a meaningful contribution to public health through THR.”

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