All about nicotine

What is nicotine?

Nicotine is an alkaloid substance that is found in the leaves, stems and fruits of plants of the nightshade family (tobacco, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers). Regular use of nicotine in any form is addictive.

Nicotine is sometimes mistaken for TAR. TAR is a result of combustion, formed during the combustion of tobacco and some other substances; the solid residue of cigarette smoke produced after the combustion of a cigarette. TAR is carcinogenic (that is, they increase the risk of cancer) and are the main source of harm from smoking. Nicotine is naturally found in the leaves and fruits of some plants and does not have a carcinogenic effect. The use of nicotine is contraindicated for pregnant women and people with cardiovascular diseases. But nicotine does not cause cancer¹, does not leave a dark coating on the teeth, does not lead to lung diseases, does not provoke coughing. It's all about TAR.

Since IQOS does not burn tobacco, the aerosol does not contain TAR. Aerosol residue is fundamentally different from TAR and consists of significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals.²

Any sticks for tobacco heating systems both HEETS and Fiit contain natural tobacco. Tobacco leaves naturally contain nicotine.

The stick contains a mixture of three varieties of tobacco: Virginia, Burley and Oriental. Each type has a different color and shape of the tobacco leaf, sugar content, taste, nicotine concentration. For example, Oriental tobacco contains about 1-2% nicotine. Virginia has about 2%. And Burley tobacco has up to 4%.

Tobacco for sticks undergoes a special selection, followed by special processing. In order to ensure that the aerosol evaporates easily when heated, and also so as not to damage the heating blade, you will need the highest quality tobacco. Which is then crushed with great care so that it does not contain large and hard particles. Therefore, according to quality standards, no more than 13% of the total tobacco crop is suitable for Heets sticks. Of these 13%, only leaf pulp goes to the production of sticks, without veins and stems, although the tobacco leaf is completely used in the production of traditional cigarettes.

Before proceeding to the production of sticks, tobacco must be dried. The most commonly used method is controlled natural fermentation. Such processing and drying have a positive effect on the flavor and aroma of the tobacco, which continues to mature after packaging. Dried tobacco leaves are thoroughly crushed, moistened with water and glycerin, squeezed under pressure, and then cut, and placed in a paper stick wrapper.

If you still come across sticks or even cigarettes without nicotine, know that the absence of nicotine is a clear sign that they do not contain tobacco.

¹ Source: https://bit.ly/3wQhdkT

²Average reductions in levels of a range of harmful chemicals (excluding nicotine) compared to cigarette smoke.

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