Top myths about smoke-free alternatives: Part 2

In this article we continue presenting the most common myths about smoke-free alternatives and answering to the frequently asked questions. Learn more about vapes, e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products.

PART 1

6. Heat-not-burn products use tobacco. Aren’t they the same as cigarettes?

NO

Heat-not-burn products are different from cigarettes. They heat real tobacco within a specific temperature range, usually using an electronic heat-control system, to prevent it from burning. The user inhales a tobacco vapor, not smoke.

When lit, cigarettes burn tobacco at temperatures above 600°C, flaring to more than 800°C when a smoker takes a puff. In the process, they create smoke, ash, tar, and high levels of harmful chemicals.

By eliminating combustion, scientifically substantiated heat-not-burn products, while not risk free, are designed to significantly reduce the levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarette smoke.

7. Do smoke-free alternatives carry a risk?

YES

Although heat-not-burn products and e-cigarettes don’t burn tobacco, which is the main cause of smoking-related diseases, they are not risk-free. The best choice is always to quit tobacco and nicotine completely.

8. Is nicotine risk-free?

NO

Nicotine is not risk-free and it is addictive. Certain people—including pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with heart disease, severe high blood pressure, or diabetes—should not use tobacco or nicotine-containing products. Minors, in particular, should not have access to nicotine-containing products.

What is nicotine

Nicotine occurs naturally in tobacco. It has pharmacological effects including increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

Nicotine is addictive and not risk-free. Nicotine is not the primary cause of smoking-related disease. Other chemicals in the smoke are.

9. Are heat-not-burn products and vapes better than continuing to smoke?

YES

While not risk free, when they are scientifically substantiated and regulated to ensure quality and safety, heat-not-burn products and e-cigarettes are a better choice than continued smoking.

10. Do heat-not-burn products and vapes give off smoke?

NO

What may appear to be “smoke” emitting from a vape or heat-not-burn product is actually an aerosol, which is a suspension of fine liquid and/or solid particles in a gas (usually air). Heat-not-burn products and vapes do not emit smoke, as they have not burned the tobacco.

Cigarettes burn tobacco, which creates smoke, which is also an aerosol. However, the composition of the aerosol in smoke is very different from the aerosol emitted by vapes and heat-not-burn products, as smoke contains thousands of chemicals, of which a hundred have been identified as harmful or potentially harmful.