Heat-not-burn technology and e-cigarette comparison

Heated tobacco products are alternatives for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products. Heat-not-burn products heat tobacco instead of burning it in order to release real tobacco flavors. Our heat-not-burn product IQOS delivers a tobacco experience for legal age users with no burning, no ash and no uncomfortable cigarette smoke smell. However, IQOS is not risk-free.

What are the different technologies?

In the IQOS device, electronics heat specially designed heated tobacco sticks.

Thanks to its patented HeatControl™ Technology, IQOS heats the tobacco up to 350 C to release real tobacco flavor and nicotine but without burning the tobacco.

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.

Our specially designed tobacco sticks for heating were created to be used exclusively with IQOS devices. Each of our tobacco sticks are made with meticulous attention. It is important to highlight that IQOS product features are confirmed 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.

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

Through intensive research and development, we've created another breakthrough heated tobacco product. Just like IQOS, it releases flavors and nicotine without combustion. Instead, it heats the tobacco with a pressed carbon heat-source that is separated from the tobacco and, using the same patented HeatControl™ Technology, provides a controlled temperature transfer.

What is the difference between heated tobacco and e-cigarettes?

Although both heat-not-burn devices and e-cigarettes are smoke-free alternatives to smoking, there are important differences when it comes to comparing heated tobacco products with e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes do not contain tobacco. Instead, they heat an e-liquid containing nicotine and flavors to produce an aerosol, what people usually call vapor. Hence the English term "vaping" is common for using e-cigarettes.

In heated tobacco products, nicotine is naturally present in the tobacco used in the product. In comparison, in e- cigarettes, nicotine derived from tobacco is added to the e-liquid used in the product.

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