IQOS Science and Heat-not-Burn Technology

Brilliant gold IQOS 3 DUO holder in hand and charger

Backed by science

The science and researches behind IQOS

Let’s look at the key scientific evidence related to IQOS

IQOS has extensive and robust clinical evidence* showing that using IQOS presents less risk to your health than continuing to smoke. Did you know that IQOS tobacco heating technology is based on scientific research and testing? Numerous studies have been carried out to evaluate the product, including 18 non-clinical and 10 clinical trials.

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.

A burning cigarette and a bronze IQOS holder next to each other

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.
The burning of tobacco emits high amounts of harmful chemicals. IQOS heats tobacco instead of burning it. IQOS HeatControl™ technology prevents tobacco from burning, which means it significantly reduces the number and level of harmful chemicals emitted compared to cigarette smoke.
The ceramic blade, alloyed with golden and platinum heats tobacco from the inside in order to grant you the real taste of tobacco.

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 HeatControl™ technology heats tobacco to a lower temperature, ensuring that combustion does not occur. Because there is no combustion, IQOS does not produce smoke. It generates a tobacco vapor that brings you experience with 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 reductions in levels of a range of harmful chemicals (excluding nicotine) compared to the smoke of a reference cigarette. See Important Information on IQOS.com

Cigarette filter with brown combustion stains compared to IQOS 3 DUO holder

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 tobacco instead of burning it. It generates an aerosol residue that is fundamentally different from tar and consists of significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals.*

Switching completely to IQOS is less harmful than continuing to smoke.**

Important information: The absence of tar does not mean that IQOS is risk free. IQOS provides nicotine which is addictive.

*Average reductions in levels of a range of harmful chemicals (excluding nicotine) compared to cigarette smoke.

***Source: Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke.

Tobacco vapor vs smoke

Switching completely to IQOS is less harmful than continuing to smoke.* To demonstrate this, we conducted a comprehensive assessment program that included 10 clinical studies on aerosol chemistry (as well as data from 18 non-clinical studies), and involved thousands of participants in the US, Japan, UK and Poland. Evidence demonstrates that switching completely to IQOS, while not risk-free, presents less risk of harm compared with continuing to smoke cigarettes.

*Source: Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke.

Lit cigarette end compared to IQOS 3 DUO holder.

IQOS emits less harmful chemicals than cigarettes

Cigarettes burn tobacco, which produces high amounts of carbon monoxide. IQOS doesn’t burn tobacco, 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. IQOS is not risk-free, and delivers nicotine which is addictive.

**Source: We measured the levels of certain harmful chemicals prioritised for reporting by renowned public health organisations, and these are reduced on average by 95% compared to the smoke of a cigarette (nicotine excluded).

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. No smoke, less smell, IQOS has significantly less effect on the air around you and others than cigarettes.

Important information: IQOS is not risk-free for you or others around you.

IQOS vs cigarette comparison

The difference between cigarette smoke and IQOS aerosol can be demonstrated by a special machine. This video presents the HeatControl™ technology, besides combustion.