Does Heated Tobacco Have Risks?

Is heated tobacco better than continuing to smoke? Generally, the answer is yes - heated tobacco is typically better and may provide less of a risk than continuing to smoke cigarettes. Of course, it is a matter of scientific assessment of each particular heated tobacco product to see if this is actually the case. 

Removing the need for burning, some heated tobacco products could present a reduction in risk when compared to cigarettes. However, it is important to know that heated tobacco products are not risk-free and they still provide nicotine which is addictive.

Talking of nicotine and other chemicals we can mention that contrary to common belief, nicotine is not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases. Rather, the harmful substances produced by burning are the biggest cause for concern. That means, for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke, innovative tobacco heating systems could be a better choice when switching from cigarettes.

In that case, if you want to switch to tobacco heating devices from smoking cigarettes, you can choose IQOS, which is considered the number 1 tobacco heating device.¹:

IQOS has passed a number of scientific tests. Currently, 18 non-clinical and 10 clinical studies have been conducted with the participation of several thousand participants. According to the findings, IQOS poses fewer risk to your health than continuing to smoke.²:

IQOS versus 1mg and Low Tar Cigarettes

1mg/low “tar” cigarettes carry serious health risks, like all cigarettes. The burning of tobacco in any cigarette, including a 1mg cigarette, generates harmful chemicals. IQOS tobacco vapour contains on average 95% lower levels of harmful chemicals than a reference cigarette. ³ IQOS: a better choice than continuing to smoke cigarettes for you and all adult smokers.

What More Can I Expect From IQOS?

Unlike a cigarette, IQOS does not burn tobacco and produces no smoke. It produces tobacco vapor that contains significantly fewer harmful chemicals³, resulting in less impact on you and the people around you than cigarette smoke. Find out more about IQOS tobacoo heating devices here.

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

1. PMI global estimate of total In-Market Sales of Heated Tobacco Units as of May 2022. (excluding China and US).
2. Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke.
3. Average reductions in levels of a range of harmful chemicals (excluding nicotine) compared to the smoke of a reference cigarette.