Biohit responds to health organizations’ position paper

Biohit Oyj April 24, 2013 at 9:30 A.M. local time (EET)

Biohit has launched the Acetium lozenge, which removes carcinogenic acetaldehyde from the saliva of smokers.

The Finnish Breathing Association, the Finnish Heart Association and Cancer Societies of Finland made a statement on the product (April 23, 2013) and wanted to draw attention to the harm caused by smoking.

“Biohit shares the concern expressed by the organizations and recommends quitting smoking because of its health hazards. However, we are aware that not all smokers are capable of stopping altogether because of their addiction. Then removing carcinogenic acetaldehyde from saliva with a lozenge can be a sensible option. The lozenge may also help in quitting smoking, as acetaldehyde is known to increase the addiction inducing effect of nicotine ,” says Biohit Oyj’s CEO Semi Korpela  (Talhout R et al. 2008).

Acetium lozenge contains L-cysteine, which is a natural amino acid. It has been shown to efficiently bind the acetaldehyde in the saliva and to form a harmless compound that leaves the body naturally. L-cysteine removes over 90% of acetaldehyde dissolved in saliva during smoking (Salaspuro VJ et al. 2006).

Tobacco smoke contains 1000 times more acetaldehyde than other carcinogens. According to a WHO working group, decreasing the amount of acetaldehyde in tobacco smoke should be mandatory (Haussmann H-J 2012, Burns DM et al. 2008).

Biohit’s goal is to increase awareness of acetaldehyde and decrease exposure to acetaldehyde found in alcoholic beverages, foods and smoking with its products.

Additional information:

CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
Tel. +358 9 773 861
semi.korpela@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com

Sources:

Talhout R, Opperhuizen A, van Amsterdam JGC. Role of acetaldehyde in tobacco smoke addiction. European Neuropsychopharmacol  2008;17:627-36.

Salaspuro VJ, Hietala JM, Marvola ML, Salaspuro MP. Eliminating carcinogenic acetaldehyde by cysteine from saliva during smoking. Cancer Epid Biomark Prev 2006;15:146-9.

Haussmann H-J. Use of hazard indices for a theoretical evaluation of cigarette smoke composition. Chem Res Toxicol 2012;25:794-810.

Burns DM, Dybing E, Grey N, Hecht S, Anderson C, Sanner T, ym. Mandated lowering of toxicants in cigarette smoke: a description of the World Health Organization TobReg proposal. Tob Control 2008;17:132-41.