Detailed information on the technology

PMI's heat-not-burn device IQOS heats up processed tobacco from within at temperatures of up to the optimal level, releasing real tobacco flavor with no burning, no ash, and no smoke.

The idea of heating tobacco instead of burning it has been around for some time. After years of research and development at Philip Morris International (PMI), it finally came to life, offering an alternative to traditional cigarettes for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products.

A cigarette has to be lit in order to be smoked. It burns at 600°C at the tip of the cigarette, but can reach above 800°C during a puff. It is the combustion that releases most of the harmful and potentially harmful chemicals into the smoke that is inhaled by a smoker.

On the contrary, PMI's heat-not-burn device IQOS heats up processed tobacco at temperatures of up to 350°C, releasing real tobacco flavor with no burning, no ash, and no smoke. By heating instead of burning the tobacco, the IQOS tobacco heating system doesn't create smoke and emits 95% lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes*.

Important information: it does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS is not risk-free.


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 has extensive and robust clinical evidence** showing that using IQOS presents less risk to your health than continuing to smoke.

Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.

It is important to highlight that IQOS product features are valid only when a HEETS stick is used with an IQOS device. Type and quantity of emitted chemicals when our products are used with other devices or other sticks are unknown.


What is heated technology?

Heated technology works with heated tobacco products, or heat-not-burn products, the essence of these are that they heat tobacco instead of burning it.

There are many heat-not-burn products out there. Equipped with HeatControl™ Technology, IQOS heats tobacco up to 350°C without burning it. This controls temperature, releasing real tobacco flavor with no burning, no ash, and no smoke. Leaves less lingering smell on your hands, hair and clothes than cigarettes.

IQOS heat-not-burn devices

Currently, there are three IQOS devices available in two different versions. One version has two main components - a holder and a charger, the second type of the device is integrated, combines the holder and the charger. IQOS is for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products.

The IQOS 3 DUO holder provides two consecutive tobacco experiences without the need to recharge the holder and 20 tobacco experiences overall before the need to recharge the pocket charger; it's equipped with our fastest charging holder to date (only 1 minute and 50 seconds to the first use).

The IQOS 2.4 Plus offers 20 tobacco experiences in one charge of the pocket charger.


How do IQOS heat-not-burn devices work?

The IQOS 3 Multi, is an integrated product that combines the holder and charger. With the device, 10 back-to- back HEETS sticks can be used before needing to recharge.

Heat stick quality requirements

The way we prepare tobacco leaves is what makes the difference. Only tobacco of the highest quality standards can make it to the sticks. We use a unique patented processing method necessary to optimize the tobacco for heating. In this process, tobacco leaves are grounded into powder and then reconstituted into tobacco sheets. These sheets are crimped and made into a tobacco plug which, when combined with all the other parts, creates a stick.

Tobacco sticks for IQOS devices provide a taste feeling close to a cigarette.


Find out more about IQOS and the technology behind it here.


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