Until recently, few people would have mentioned the words “tobacco” and “innovation” in the same sentence. Even as other legacy industries started disrupting their respective operations, the tobacco industry remained content to milk its tried-and-tested business model and count on the habit-forming properties of nicotine to sustain its business.
That has changed dramatically over the past 15 years. Advances in technology, together with shifting attitudes, have turned the once-staid nicotine business into a cutting-edge innovator. The modern e-cigarette was not invented by the tobacco industry, but when it started making inroads around 2008, the industry recognized its potential and devoted considerable resources to its perfection. The ensuing disruption to the nicotine business prompted one major financial institution to rank the impact of e-cigarettes in the same league as that of 3D printing.
And it didn’t stop there. Tobacco companies went on to develop a host of additional reduced-risk technologies, such as tobacco-heating devices. Some even began applying their expertise in agronomy, product development and substance delivery to create nonrecreational products, such as vaccines, pharmaceuticals and therapeutic devices.
Astonished by the radical transition taking place in the industry, and excited about what it promises for the future, Tobacco Reporter devote its entire April 2022 issue to the topic of innovation.
The Promise of Innovation
Nicotine companies are helping tobacco users move from deadly combustibles to reduced-risk products.
The Virtuous Weed
When tobacco heals instead of hurts.
In the Pipeline
A glimpse at patent registrations shows what the future of tobacco harm reduction may look like.
Major Milestones
The most impactful vaping technology innovations from the past 15 years
Preventative Measures
Innovation could help prevent youth access to vaping products.
Seeking Synergies
Tobacco firms are applying the expertise gained with reduced-risk products to new business areas.
Unlikely Bedfellows
How free-flowing data streams can help advance public health goals for nicotine products.
All in the Mind
A human-centric health ecosystem could unleash tobacco harm reduction’s full potential.
From Coercion to Empowerment
David Sweanor describes the shift required to reduce the health toll of smoking.