Users with IQOS devices in their hands

26 Aug 2020

Is IQOS a smoke-free product?

The answer is yes, IQOS is a smoke-free product. This is thanks to more than 430 scientists and engineers from the Philip Morris International global Research and Development Centre in Switzerland who have managed to develop IQOS, with which tobacco is heated rather than burned, as an alternative to traditional tobacco products. When you use IQOS, tobacco vapour is released rather than smoke.
Although the idea of heating tobacco rather than burning it has been around for more than twenty years, many years of scientific development have been necessary to achieve this product based on heat-not-burn technology (which heats tobacco, avoiding combustion).
Today there are already over 10 million adult smokers around the world who have made the decision to switch to the IQOS alternative1.
How do IQOS and the tobacco heating system work?
IQOS is a better alternative to conventional tobacco products on the market, although it is not completely risk-free. Inside each IQOS device there is sophisticated technology (IQOS HeatControl) that heats the specially designed tobacco units. Each device warms the tobacco to the precise level that generates a vapour containing nicotine, but without actually burning it at any point.
As a result, one of the differentiating factors that the heat-not-burn technology developed by Philip Morris brings is this: the tobacco in a traditional cigarette burns reaching high temperatures and, as such, it generates smoke. IQOS, on the other hand, does not reach such high temperatures, because it heats the tobacco at a significantly lower temperature, at which combustion does not happen, and there is no fire, ash or smoke.
What are the advantages of the IQOS heating system?
IQOS’ heat-not-burn technology produces a tobacco vapour that contains nicotine and dissipates more quickly than cigarette smoke, making it a smoke-free product that boasts many advantages compared to traditional cigarettes:
  1. Goodbye combustion: Given that there is no lit end, with IQOS there is no risk of burning people around you, or pets, clothing or furniture, unlike with cigarettes.
  2. No more smoke: Unlike traditional cigarettes, IQOS does not burn the tobacco, and therefore does not produce smoke.
  3. No ash: Because there is no combustion, IQOS does not generate ash.
  4. Less smell: IQOS leaves a less persistent odour on your hands, hair and clothes than cigarette smoke.
In addition, the fact that IQOS HeatControl technology prevents the tobacco from burning, means that it significantly reduces the amount of toxic substances generated and inhaled compared to cigarette smoke. On this subject, don’t forget that smoke is a complex mix of over 6,000 chemical substances, of which almost 100 have been identified as harmful or potentially harmful.
IQOS generates, on average, a 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.*

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

*Compared to the smoke of a standard reference cigarette (3R4F).

If you would like more detailed information about the technology behind Philip Morris International’s smoke-free product range, click here.
IQOS’ heat-not-burn technology, a better alternative for adult smokers
With IQOS you not only have cutting-edge technology, but you can also choose a better alternative if you’re an adult smoker and customise the devices to suit you. Find out here how to make your IQOS unique and find the accessories that best fit your style.
If you haven’t yet taken your first steps with IQOS, remember that you have available to you a whole customer service team who can help you to clarify any doubts and will advise you about the IQOS model that’s most suited to you. If, on the other hand, you prefer to do some research yourself beforehand, then the FAQs about IQOS should also be helpful.
And it’s important to remember that, if you want to try the experience at first hand, you can do so using the free loan service. The process is really simple, you just have to go to the ‘Try’ section on our website, fill out the form and an IQOS expert will get in touch with you.
Nevertheless, you must bear in mind that IQOS is not designed for or aimed at those adult smokers who want to quit consuming tobacco or nicotine. IQOS is a better alternative for adult smokers who otherwise would keep smoking or using nicotine-based products.
Now that that’s clear, you can go to the IQOS website and explore the array of options that smoke-free products offer.

 

 

1Source: financial data or estimations by PMI, a panel of IQOS users and PMI market research. Data correct at March 2020. IQOS users who have completely stopped smoking cigarettes and those for whom PMI heated tobacco units represent at least 70% of their heated tobacco consumption for the past week.