Smoore International, Hengxin International And Zhenwei Biotechnology: Safety Of Nicotine Analogs Still Needs To Be Evaluated

Smoore International, Hengxin International and Zhenwei Biotechnology: Safety of nicotine analogs still needs to be evaluated

Smoore International, Hangsen International and Zinwi Biotech are studying nicotine-like chemicals as substitutes for e-cigarettes, but the health effects of these chemicals require years of investigation.

According to Reuters on September 25, Smoore International, Hangsen International Group and Zinwi Biotech and relevant persons in charge of the three companies said that they are studying nicotine-like chemicals that can be used as substitutes for nicotine in products such as e-cigarettes, but the health effects of these chemicals may still require "years" of investigation.

Previously, a chemical called 6-methylnicotine has been made in the laboratory with a chemical structure similar to nicotine and has been used in some e-cigarettes in the United States. However, regulators and researchers warn that it may be more potent and addictive than nicotine itself.

E-cigarette oil manufacturers Hangsen International Group, Zinwi Biotech and Smoore International all said that more research is needed to determine whether these chemicals are safe.

Eve Wang, executive director of Smoore International, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday (25th) that "Smoore will not rush into action." She said a small team at Smoore International is studying these chemicals, known as nicotine analogs, to understand how they work and their effects. "We should treat it like a drug and truly understand its health effects before commercializing it... I think it will take years of research." Yu Kang, president of Hengxin

International Research Institute, and Haley Xu, global communications head of Zhenwei Biotechnology, said their companies are also studying such chemicals. Yu Kang said at the 2024 Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum (GTNF) conference in Athens, Greece, "We have to be very, very careful and carefully evaluate whether and how to use them." He said Hengxin International is currently studying about 10 nicotine analogs, including 6-methyl nicotine. Haley Xu said Zhenwei Biotechnology is also studying more than 10 analogs and will ensure their safety before launching any nicotine analog products.