Common Questions About Heated Tobacco
Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about heated tobacco - including what it is, whether it triggers smoke detectors, and if it leaves a smell.
If you are an adult smoker looking for an alternative to cigarette smoke, this article will answer the most common questions you have about heating tobacco. Whether you've heard about "heat-free combustion" technology or are trying to understand whether heating tobacco produces an odor, read on to find out more about this smoke-free alternative and how it works.
What Is Heated Tobacco?
Generally, heated tobacco products heat tobacco instead of burning it. You may have heard of ‘Heat not burn’ technology before and are wondering what heat not burn tobacco is or even what are heat-not-burn products or devices.
Unlike cigarettes, IQOS does not burn tobacco and therefore produces no smoke or ash. IQOS provides cigarette-like satisfaction* SMARTCORE IDUCTION SYSTEM Technology heats tobacco from the inside and delivers real tobacco taste.
3* month clinical studies conducted in US and Japan with 160 adult smokers each under real conditions (ambulatory).
What Is Combustible Tobacco?
Combustible tobacco is a term typically used for products that burn tobacco. Such products could include cigarettes, cigars and/or roll-your-own tobacco.
On the other hand, non-combustible tobacco products could include smoke-free options like vapes, and heated tobacco devices and sticks.
Is Heating Tobacco Better Than Burning It?
Generally, many of a cigarettes’ most harmful chemicals and substances are produced during the burning process (commonly known as combustion). With the heated tobacco product IQOS, combustion does not occur. IQOS doesn’t burn tobacco, producing on average 98% less carbon monoxide (CO) and significantly lower levels of other harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.
Important information: This does not mean a 98% reduction in risk, and carbon monoxide is only one of many harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke. IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine which is addictive.
There are several other benefits with switching to IQOS instead of continuing to smoke cigarettes. For example, unlike cigarettes, IQOS is less likely to disturb those around you, and there is no risk you will find a hole in your shirt that you like best.
Does Heated Tobacco Smell?
Heated tobacco products may produce a smell, depending on the device, however, it differs from the smell of regular cigarettes. As IQOS produces no cigarette smoke smell, it is less likely to bother people around you, or leave lingering smell on hands, hair, and clothes. Our article 'Vaping and Heated Tobacco Products’ Smell vs Cigarettes'.
Does IQOS Set Off Smoke Alarms?
IQOS devices can trigger smoke detectors, depending on the type of detector. It is important to know that there is a difference between smoke detectors and fire detectors. In short, sometimes smoke detectors work alongside fire detectors, so when a room fills with smoke, it triggers the fire detector.
IQOS produces vapor instead of smoke. Sometimes, a smoke detector could confuse vapor with smoke, meaning an IQOS device could potentially trigger a smoke alarm. However, it can’t be confirmed whether IQOS will set off smoke alarms.
If you have more questions on heated tobacco and IQOS, visit our FAQ page to learn more.
Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.
This is general information only, and generally relates to properly manufactured fitness and materials, and does not specifically refer to a particular device unless explicitly stated otherwise. Some of the information presented here is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity, or completeness of such information.