- 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 with 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
Let’s look at the key scientific evidence related to IQOS
Did you know that IQOS heating technology is based on scientific research and testing? Numerous scientific studies have been carried out to evaluate the product. Unlike cigarettes, IQOS does not burn the stick and therefore produces no smoke, no ash and less smell than cigarettes.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
Why is heating better
Technology – the world revolves around it. Over the years, it has radically changed our lives for the better. The way we work, the way we communicate, the way we travel.
By combining science and technology is how we developed a better alternative to continued smoking.
IQOS is a better choice for those adult smokers, who would otherwise continue 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.
The burning of tobacco emits high amounts of harmful chemicals. IQOS heats the stick instead of burning it.
IQOS ILUMA SMARTCORE INDUCTION™ technology prevents stick from burning, which means it significantly reduces the level of harmful chemicals emitted compared to cigarette smoke.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine which is addictive.
By combining science and technology is how we developed a better alternative to continued smoking.
IQOS is a better choice for those adult smokers, who would otherwise continue 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.
The burning of tobacco emits high amounts of harmful chemicals. IQOS heats the stick instead of burning it.
IQOS ILUMA SMARTCORE INDUCTION™ technology prevents stick from burning, which means it significantly reduces the level of harmful chemicals emitted compared to cigarette smoke.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine which is addictive.
Heating technology
Cigarettes burn tabacco, reaching high temperatures, and producing ash, tar, and smoke with high number and levels of harmful chemicals.
Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of over 6,000 chemical substances, around 100 of which have been linked to smoking-related diseases by public health authorities.
IQOS ILUMA SMARTCORE INDUCTION SYSTEM™ technology heats the stick to a lower temperature, ensuring that combustion. Because there is no combustion, IQOS does not produce smoke. It generates a vapor that emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarette smoke.*
Important information: It does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS is not risk-free.
Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of over 6,000 chemical substances, around 100 of which have been linked to smoking-related diseases by public health authorities.
IQOS ILUMA SMARTCORE INDUCTION SYSTEM™ technology heats the stick to a lower temperature, ensuring that combustion. Because there is no combustion, IQOS does not produce smoke. It generates a vapor that emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarette smoke.*
Important information: It does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS is not risk-free.
*“95% less” represents the average reduction in levels of the 9 chemicals recommended for reduction in cigarette smoke by the World Health Organization, which do not include nicotine. See Important Information.
Cigarettes produce tar – IQOS doesn’t
Tar is the residue from smoke after a cigarette is burned. IQOS does not produce tar because it heats the sticks instead of burning it. It generates an aerosol residue that is fundamentally different from tar and consists of significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals.*
Important information: The absence of tar does not mean that IQOS™ is risk free. IQOS™ provides nicotine which is addictive.
*Reductions in levels of the 9 harmful chemicals the World Health Organization recommends to reduce in cigarette smoke, which do not include nicotine. See Important Information.
Vapor vs smoke
In order to demonstrate the difference between aerosol and smoke, we conducted a comprehensive assessment program that included numerous clinical studies on aerosol chemistry, which have examined changes in markers of smoking-related diseases in participants compared to cigarette smokers. Research results demonstrate that switching completely to IQOS, while not risk-free, IQOS is a better choice than continued smoking.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
IQOS emits less harmful chemicals than cigarettes.
Cigarettes burn tobacco, which produces high amounts of carbon monoxide. IQOS doesn’t burn the sticks, producing on average 98% less carbon monoxide (CO) and significantly lower levels of other harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.*
Important information: This does not mean a 98% reduction in risk, and carbon monoxid is only one of many harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke. IQOS™ is not risk free, and delivers nicotine which is addictive.
*Reductions in levels of the 9 harmful chemicals the World Health Organization recommends to reduce in cigarette smoke, which do not include nicotine. See Important Information.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality (“IAQ”) refers to the air quality inside buildings, generally based on the principle of ensuring the health and comfort of the occupants. Temperature, humidity and contaminants are some of the factors that can affect the indoor air quality. But, human presence and activities such as cooking, cleaning or smoking have been proven to have considerable impact.
To enhance our knowledge and understanding the impact of IQOS on indoor air quality we conducted studies simulating “real-world” conditions in an environmentally controlled room. Our testing methods are validated, and ISO accredited.
Our study shows that, because IQOS does not burn tobacco and it does not generate smoke and it drastically reduces levels of harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide, it does not negatively impact indoor air quality.
This means that the few compounds we nevertheless detected were found at very low concentrations and far below the maximum exposure levels defined in existing air quality guidelines.
To enhance our knowledge and understanding the impact of IQOS on indoor air quality we conducted studies simulating “real-world” conditions in an environmentally controlled room. Our testing methods are validated, and ISO accredited.
Our study shows that, because IQOS does not burn tobacco and it does not generate smoke and it drastically reduces levels of harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide, it does not negatively impact indoor air quality.
This means that the few compounds we nevertheless detected were found at very low concentrations and far below the maximum exposure levels defined in existing air quality guidelines.
Exclusive usage of IQOS
Our studies' participants who completely switched to IQOS also report that IQOS provides comparable levels of satisfaction as cigarettes.*
IQOS is not risk-free and delivers nicotine, which is addictive.
*Based on clinical studies, aerosol chemistry and declaration of satisfaction level from 600 adult consumers in Japan, 2022
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