- Discover IQOS
What is IQOS?
- IQOS ILUMA and TEREA
More about heated tobacco
- Backed by science
Learn more about the studies
- IQOS product features
Learn more
- Extra services
Discover more
New, advanced features.
Familiar design, new technology
All-in-one design
- Discover IQOS
What is IQOS?
- IQOS ILUMA and TEREA
More about heated tobacco
- Backed by science
Learn more about the studies
- IQOS product features
Learn more
- Extra services
Discover more
Scientific program
We have developed a comprehensive step-by-step scientific assessment program. This program is inspired by the practices of the pharmaceutical industry and is in line with the USA’s Federal Drug Administration’s 2012 guidance on the assessment of candidate Modified Risk Tobacco products. Our assessment was also conducted according to international standards.
Is IQOS less harmful than cigarettes?
In laboratory settings, we found that IQOS vapor is less toxic than cigarette smoke. Our scientists test our products thoroughly before they go into adult smokers’ hands. Using in vitro assays in our labs, we assessed the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of IQOS vapor in comparison with the smoke of a reference cigarette designed for research purposes. Taken together, the results of these assays show that IQOS vapor is significantly less toxic than the smoke from reference cigarette.
This is just a glimpse of our work. These tests were crucial before we moved on to test IQOS with thousands of adult smokers who voluntarily participated in our clinical study program and ultimately allowed us to commercialize our products.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
This is just a glimpse of our work. These tests were crucial before we moved on to test IQOS with thousands of adult smokers who voluntarily participated in our clinical study program and ultimately allowed us to commercialize our products.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
Clinical studies
Do the significantly lower number and levels of harmful chemicals in IQOS vapor compared to cigarettes also mean lower levels of such chemicals in the body?
If you reduce the level of harmful chemicals in IQOS vapor, it would make sense that switching completely to IQOS from cigarettes reduces exposure to these harmful chemicals. To prove this, we measured biomarkers of exposure for a number of these harmful chemicals in smokers who participated in our clinical study program, (some switched to IQOS, while others either continued smoking their cigarette brand or quit for the duration of the study).
These studies show that when smokers switch to IQOS, their body absorbs significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals, which in turn results in favourable changes in a number of risk markers selected because of their known association with smoking-related diseases.
But it doesn’t end there.
If you reduce the level of harmful chemicals in IQOS vapor, it would make sense that switching completely to IQOS from cigarettes reduces exposure to these harmful chemicals. To prove this, we measured biomarkers of exposure for a number of these harmful chemicals in smokers who participated in our clinical study program, (some switched to IQOS, while others either continued smoking their cigarette brand or quit for the duration of the study).
These studies show that when smokers switch to IQOS, their body absorbs significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals, which in turn results in favourable changes in a number of risk markers selected because of their known association with smoking-related diseases.
But it doesn’t end there.
IQOS satisfaction
Our clinical study participants who switched to IQOS also report that IQOS provides comparable levels of satisfaction as cigarettes. This supports our view that IQOS has the potential to be an acceptable alternative for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke.
Based on all the scientific evidence, we are confident that switching completely to IQOS presents less risk to your health than continuing to smoke.*br>
However, and this is important: IQOS is not risk-free and the reduction in risk also depends upon each individual’s smoking history. The absolute best choice remains to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. IQOS is not designed as cessation aid tool. It delivers nicotine, which is addictive.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
*Source: Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke. See Important Information.
Based on all the scientific evidence, we are confident that switching completely to IQOS presents less risk to your health than continuing to smoke.*br>
However, and this is important: IQOS is not risk-free and the reduction in risk also depends upon each individual’s smoking history. The absolute best choice remains to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. IQOS is not designed as cessation aid tool. It delivers nicotine, which is addictive.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
*Source: Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke. See Important Information.
Long term studies
Once IQOS is available in the market, the research moves from being conducted in a pre-market setting to a real-world post-market setting. There, we look at how the product is being used and by whom in order to complement our pre-market findings and to do our best to identify and prevent use or uptake by unintended audiences. After years of commercialization in many countries, the available data confirms our pre-market observations, in particular in terms of IQOS’ appeal to adult smokers and the relative lack of interest in former and never smokers.
We also monitor reports of health effects now that the product is used by millions of adult users. Long-term studies will eventually help us to evaluate the potential disease–specific risk reduction of IQOS. Gathering data to answer this question takes time, but it’s the right choice.
We also monitor reports of health effects now that the product is used by millions of adult users. Long-term studies will eventually help us to evaluate the potential disease–specific risk reduction of IQOS. Gathering data to answer this question takes time, but it’s the right choice.
The result
IQOS is a better choice than continued smoking.
Based on the scientific evidence so far, switching completely to IQOS presents less risk to your health than continuing to smoke.*
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
Based on the scientific evidence so far, switching completely to IQOS presents less risk to your health than continuing to smoke.*
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
*Source: Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke. See Important Information.
All information about tobacco sticks that is stated or displayed in the materials applies to all SMARTCORE STICKS™ sticks. IQOS ILUMA is designed to be used only with SMARTCORE STICKS™. Do not use IQOS ILUMA and SMARTCORE STICKS™ with previous IQOS generations, as this may cause damage to your device. Do not ingest or disassemble SMARTCORE STICKS™. This product contains a sharp metal part which can cause serious injury if swallowed. Keep out of reach of children and pets. See