Lifestyle Changes Influence Trends in Alternative Tobacco Product Use
Amid growing awareness among some adult smokers of the impact of smoking habits on their surroundings, alternative tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products are increasingly being chosen as alternatives for nicotine consumption. Besides practical factors, comfort aspects like the absence of smoke odour clinging to clothing or rooms are among the reasons frequently cited by users.
The chairman of the Indonesian Personal Vaporizer Association (Akvindo), Paido Siahaan, assesses that this trend indicates a shift in preferences among adult smokers who are beginning to seek products deemed more suitable to their needs and lifestyle.
“From the consumer side, their main reason for switching to alternative tobacco products is the desire to reduce exposure to cigarette smoke and lingering odours. Consumers feel that using alternative tobacco products is cleaner, lighter, and less disturbing to others,” Paido said on Thursday (11/6).
According to him, the absence of combustion as occurs in conventional cigarettes is a factor many consumers consider. Smoke from burning tobacco typically leaves residue and odour that can cling to clothing, vehicles, or rooms for quite a long time.
Paido stated that this comfort is one of the reasons encouraging some adult smokers to start considering alternative tobacco products. “Many users have conveyed that the smell of cigarette smoke sticking to clothes, hair, vehicles, or rooms is one of the main reasons they began looking for alternatives. In consumer experience, alternative tobacco products are considered more comfortable because they do not produce tobacco combustion smoke like cigarettes,” he said.
A number of studies have also attempted to examine the emission characteristics produced by alternative tobacco products. One such study is from Chang’an University, China, titled ‘Characteristics of Second-hand Exposure to Aerosols from E-cigarettes’, published in 2024. The research found that aerosols from e-cigarettes still release particles into the air, but the levels of certain detected pollutants are lower compared to smoke from burning conventional cigarettes.
A similar experience was felt by Rifqi, a vape user who said he switched from conventional cigarettes some time ago. He feels the changes relate not only to comfort of use but also to physical condition in daily activities. “The most noticeable change is that my body feels fitter. The proof is in the medical check-up results, which changed to be much better compared to when I was still smoking,” he said.
Rifqi added that the process of switching from smoking habits is influenced not only by product choice but also by support from the surrounding environment. “The role of close people in providing support is very important, but what is more important is our daily social environment because without their support it would seem impossible to switch without great determination,” he said.