Feb 12, 2025
What Are HEETS?
If you’re an adult user who is considering the switch from continued smoking to IQOS heated tobacco, you’ll likely have come across IQOS HEETS in your search. Switching can feel like a big change, and you may have lots of questions about this product – from what HEETS are to how they work. Here, we answer some commonly asked questions around these heated tobacco consumables, addressing questions like ‘what are HEETS tobacco sticks?’ and providing answers to more frequently asked queries about these products.
So, what are HEETS exactly? HEETS are specifically designed tobacco sticks that are used in certain IQOS devices such as IQOS ORIGINALS and earlier iterations of this device. IQOS heat these sticks to a controlled temperature, whereas cigarettes are burned – a key difference between smoking cigarettes and using heated tobacco.
How To Use HEETS
In order to learn how to use HEETS, it’s useful to firstly learn about how the IQOS device works.
IQOS is an electronic heated tobacco device that consists of two main parts: a Holder and a Pocket Charger. The Holder is pen-shaped and contains a ceramic coated blade, which is designed to heat the tobacco held within the HEETS stick. The Pocket Charger both carries and charges the Holder in between uses.
The device is easy to use. When using IQOS HEETS, insert a HEETS stick gently into the device Holder. Insert the tobacco end first and stop at the silver line of the tobacco stick. Refrain from twisting the HEETS stick. Once heated, you can draw on the HEETS stick to enjoy the taste of real heated tobacco. From menthol to tobacco, HEETS come in a range of variants, meaning you’ll be able to find a HEETS variant that suits your unique taste.
Note that the usage of HEETS sticks varies between devices. Your accompanying guide included in the package will show you how to use HEETS properly so that you always get the most out of your experience.
Common Questions About HEETS
Still have questions about IQOS HEETS sticks? Find out more about HEETS and how they differ from cigarettes.
What’s the Difference between HEETS and Cigarettes?
There are numerous differences between HEETS and cigarettes. For example, unlike cigarettes, IQOS does not produce smoke. Instead, HEETS sticks are heated in IQOS devices via HeatControlTM technology. IQOS HeatControl™ Technology heats tobacco instead of burning it to deliver the taste of real tobacco. In fact, IQOS emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.*
Important information: This does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS is not risk-free.
* “95% less” represents the average reduction in levels of the 9 chemicals recommended for reduction in cigarette smoke by the World Health Organization, which do not include nicotine.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free.
What’s more, studies* showed that the satisfaction of those who switched completely to IQOS is comparable to those who continued to smoke cigarettes. Each HEETS stick can last up to six minutes or 14 puffs, a duration similar to that of a cigarette. Our article ‘How Long Does a Heated Tobacco Experience Last’ covers everything you need to know about the duration of an IQOS experience.
* 3 month clinical studies conducted in US and Japan with 160 adult smokers each under real conditions (ambulatory).
Another key difference between HEETS and cigarettes is the smell. So, do HEETS smell? In short, IQOS produces less smell than cigarettes. Furthermore, IQOS leaves less smell on furniture and fabric than cigarettes. As IQOS produces less smell than cigarettes, it is less likely to bother people around you.
If you’d like to know more about the differences between IQOS heated tobacco and cigarettes, take a look at our guide ‘Heated Tobacco vs Smoking Cigarettes’.
Can You Reuse HEETS or Can You Smoke HEETS Sticks Twice?
The quick answer to this is no. Once the HEETS stick has been used – after up to 14 puffs or around six minutes depending on usage – it can be removed from the IQOS Holder and properly disposed of in a waste bin.
Wondering how many HEETS sticks in a pack? A single pack normally holds up to 20 HEETS.
Do HEETS Expire?
IQOS HEETS sticks do expire and should come with an expiry date on the packaging. Tobacco sticks that are past their expiry date should be discarded, even if they haven’t been opened or used yet.
To have the best smoke-free experience possible and get the most out of your IQOS product, it’s important that you know how to use HEETS properly.
IQOS provides cigarette-like satisfaction**. What’s more, switching completely to IQOS presents less risk to your health than continuing to smoke***.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free, and provides nicotine which is addictive.
** 3 month clinical studies conducted in US and Japan with 160 adults each under real conditions (ambulatory).
Shop for HEETS and compatible IQOS devices.
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 article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article 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.
