Combustion, not nicotine, is the primary driver of smoking-related oral diseases and cancers.

The report “Transforming Oral Health for All” underscores this distinction, advocating for smoke-free nicotine alternatives that eliminate the harmful byproducts of tobacco combustion.Products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco have been shown to expose users to 90–95% fewer toxic substances compared to traditional cigarettes, offering a practical pathway to better oral health for those unable or unwilling to quit smoking.