FAQs
Frequently asked questions about IQOS products, technology, heated tobacco and use of cigarette alternatives.
What is IQOS?
IQOS is a better alternative for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke cigarettes. IQOS produces no smoke, no ash and less odour. Developed by Philip Morris International, IQOS is designed exclusively for adult smokers.
What are the various alternatives to smoking?
Products that heat tobacco as an alternative to smoking:
Devices that heat tobacco instead of burning it or “heat-not-burn” devices are smoke-free alternatives. Devices that heat tobacco can use specially prepared tobacco rolled into sticks. The tobacco sticks are then placed in the device where innovative technologies heat the tobacco to a specific temperature that never gets so high that the tobacco burns. As with e-cigarettes, there is no burning and there is no smoke. Our heat-not-burn device, IQOS, contains a heating element made of ceramic, gold and platinum. A HEETS tobacco stick is applied directly to the heating element, and then the heating element heats the tobacco directly from the core. In this way, the tobacco is heated first, for a consistent taste and experience.
E-cigarettes as an alternative to smoking:
E-cigarettes are another type of alternative to smoking; they do not contain real tobacco. They are electronic products that vaporize e-liquids at a low temperature. Most e-cigarettes use a system called “wick & coil,” in which a wick sucks up the e-liquid, which contains flavors and nicotine. The liquid lands on a coil heating element and is heated. This creates a vapor. The vapor is inhaled through a mouthpiece. The process is smoke-free.
E-cigarettes are sometimes called “vapes” or “vape devices. Some of them feature a fully customizable open tank system. Other e-cigarettes feature a closed single-use system, a rechargeable system or a cartridge system.
How does IQOS work?
IQOS uses an innovative heating system that heats tobacco sticks at a lower controlled temperature. This releases nicotine vapor without burning the tobacco.
What is heated tobacco?
Heating rather than burning tobacco is an idea that has been around for a while. After years of research at Philip Morris International (PMI), there has been developed a new product category that is not based on the principle of combustion. This alternative is designed exclusively for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke.
In order to smoke a cigarette, it must be lit. The tobacco in a cigarette is burned at high temperatures when a puff of the cigarette is taken. During the process of burning, most harmful and potentially harmful substances are released in the form of cigarette smoke.
IQOS, PMI’s product that heats tobacco instead of burning it, heats processed tobacco at a much lower temperature. This releases the flavor of tobacco without the use of fire. Because IQOS heats tobacco instead of burning it, therefore, no smoke is released.
What are the different flavors of heated tobacco?
IQOS devices work exclusively with the tobacco sticks, which are specially designed to be heatable. Developed with care for the use of adult IQOS users.
The extensive range of flavors offers both full-bodied and mild flavors, such as tobacco with menthol and aromatic blends. All cartridges are not without risk and have addictive effects.
Can IQOS help me quit smoking?
IQOS is not a drug that will help you quit smoking. If you are concerned about the health effects of smoking, the best option is to quit smoking completely.
Is IQOS addictive?
Yes, IQOS is addictive because it releases nicotine. Nicotine is naturally present in the tobacco used in tobacco sticks. IQOS is intended for adult smokers only.
How are smokeless alternatives different from cigarettes?
The biggest difference between smokeless alternatives such as e-cigarettes or heated tobacco and smoking cigarettes is exactly what makes these alternatives “smokeless”: no ignition – or combustion – of tobacco takes place.
Cigarettes must be lit in order to smoke them. Lighting causes ignition. The lit cigarette reaches high temperatures, causing the tobacco to burn. It is known that most of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are released during combustion.
With smokeless alternatives, such as e-cigarettes and products that heat tobacco, no combustion occurs. When using e-cigarettes, no tobacco is used and no combustion takes place. With heated tobacco products, tobacco sticks are used, which are heated to a specific temperature in an electronic device without burning the tobacco. Therefore, no smoke is produced, only tobacco vapor.
How can cigarettes be replaced but not nicotine?
Nicotine is a substance found naturally in tobacco plants. Nicotine is also found in various fruits and vegetables, such as the tomato, eggplant, green bell pepper and potato. Many people believe that nicotine is the main cause of smoking-related diseases. Although nicotine is addictive, research has shown and public health organisations have confirmed that it is not nicotine that is the main cause of smoking-related diseases (such as various cancers and heart disease), but the toxic and carcinogenic substances present in cigarette smoke.
When a cigarette is lit, the tobacco is burned at high temperatures, causing a chemical reaction. Combustion produces more than 6,000 chemicals and many of them lead to smoking-related diseases. This means that while nicotine is addictive, it is not the main cause of smoking-related diseases. The chemicals released during combustion cause these diseases.
Although quitting smoking is the best option, an adult smoker who would otherwise continue smoking and is looking for an alternative to cigarettes may consider a smokeless option. This means an alternative to cigarettes with the taste of tobacco and/or the experience of nicotine, but without combustion and cigarette smoke.
How does IQOS, the product that heats tobacco instead of burning it, work?
All IQOS devices that heat tobacco instead of burning it work the same way: first place the tobacco stick in the holder. Then press a button to activate the heating element and then take a puff of the tobacco stick. When it runs out, remove it from the holder and dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way.
Is IQOS less harmful/healthier than cigarettes?
The most harmful constituents in cigarette smoke are the result of burning tobacco. However, IQOS is not risk-free and contains nicotine, making it addictive. If you are concerned about the health effects of smoking, the best option is to quit smoking and nicotine completely.
Read more here.
What is the difference between IQOS and cigarettes?
In a traditional cigarette, tobacco is burned at high temperatures. This burning process produces ash and cigarette smoke. IQOS heats tobacco at a lower temperature so the tobacco does not burn.
Read more here.
What is the difference between heat-not-burn devices, including IQOS, and e-cigarettes?
The IQOS device and e-cigarettes are both smokeless alternatives to cigarettes intended for adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking.They are both electronic devices that, unlike cigarettes, do not generate smoke. Here are the main differences between IQOS and e-cigarettes:
1. Technology: IQOS belong to a category of products called heat-not-burn. These products use innovative tobacco heating systems to heat tobacco instead of burning it. By comparison, e-cigarettes, work by heating e-liquids and then vaporizing.
2. Tobacco: IQOS uses tobacco made from real tobacco leaves that are harvested and then specially processed and pressed to make tobacco sticks, called HEETS. Because of the precise heating of these tobacco sticks, you experience the taste of real tobacco while the tobacco is not burned. HEETS are not without risk. They are addictive and contain nicotine; this substance is naturally present in tobacco.
By comparison, e-cigarettes do not use real tobacco, but an e-cigarette liquid available in a range of flavors in e-cigarette stores. These are available with or without nicotine.
How did IQOS enter the market as a brand for heated tobacco?
At Philip Morris International, the goal is to provide smoke-free alternatives to over a billion smokers worldwide who would otherwise continue to smoke. Thus IQOS tobacco warming system was born.
The first IQOS devices date back to 2014. They were marketed in Japan and Italy. IQOS was gradually rolled out in other countries and is now available in 61 countries.
However, the history of IQOS dates back to 2008, when Philip Morris International began working to develop a new product category that is not based on the principle of combustion. Our commitment to this product is the result of years of careful consideration and a solid research and development program.