Debunking Myths Around Smoke-Free Alternatives

With more and more smoke-free products alternative hitting the market, and adult smokers being given more options to switch from conventional cigarettes, there are also a number of myths surrounding these products. Sometimes the myths may come from a lack of understanding, and fueled by misinformation. Today, we'll try to debunk the most common myths, and give adult smokers answers to common questions about smoke-free alternative products.

What is a smoke-free alternative product ?

Smoke-free alternative products are a category of products used by adults who wish to continue smoking or use nicotine products. As the name implies, smoke-free alternative products do not produce smoke. This means, unlike conventional cigarettes, this product does not burn tobacco. Smoke-free alternative products are not risk-free and contain nicotine, which is addictive.

Smoke-free alternatives are considered an alternative to unburned tobacco products for adult smokers who will continue to smoke, because smoke-free means they have the potential to produce fewer harmful chemicals. Reducing the generation of hazardous chemicals with smoke-free alternative products must be demonstrated on a product-by-product basis. Even so, the best decision a smoker can make is to stop using tobacco and nicotine altogether.

What is heated tobacco ?

Cigarettes must be burned in order to be enjoyed, and the temperature at the tip can reach hundreds of degrees when lit. As a result, the smoke has the potential to release chemicals that are harmful if inhaled by smokers. There are more than 6,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, some of which are potentially harmful and high risk. About 100 of them are related to smoking-related diseases. 

One of the latest innovations in alternatives to enjoying the taste of smoke-free tobacco is heated tobacco products. Heated tobacco products are designed to heat tobacco in the right temperature, preventing burning, without fire, ash or smoke, yet still providing a pleasant taste of tobacco.

Learn more about heated tobacco at this link.

What is vaping, and what are e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are a type of smoke-free product that smokers and adult users may be familiar with. Vapes are battery-powered handheld devices that come in various sizes with lots of customization options. Some e-cigarettes are disposable, while others are reusable.

In general, e-cigarettes work by heating and vaporizing a liquid containing flavorings and nicotine. Heating to a certain temperature causes the liquid to evaporate and produce aerosols, which are inhaled by adult users.

What is chewing tobacco ?

Chewing tobacco, also referred to as oral tobacco or spit tobacco, is a smoke-free product that usually comes in the form of loose leaves, plugs or coils of dry tobacco that are coarsely chopped and flavored.

What is a snuff ?

Snuff, otherwise known as dip tobacco, is usually made from plucked, dried, finely ground tobacco and has a distinct aroma and taste. Usually packaged in cans, dry tobacco is inhaled through the nose and wet tobacco is placed on the lower lip and gums to absorb the nicotine. 

What is snus?

Snus comes from a variant of dry tobacco. Like snuff, snus is generally finely ground but packaged in small pouches. The snus is usually inserted between the upper lip and the gums.

6 rebuttal myths about smoke-free alternatives

Now that you have a better understanding of the smoke-free products available, let's address some frequently asked questions about these products.

Are smoke-free alternatives a healthy and safe alternative to smoking ?

No, no nicotine-containing product is risk-free or completely safe, even smoke-free products.

The best decision any smoker can make is to stop using tobacco and nicotine altogether. For adults who will continue to smoke, smoke-free alternatives may be a better option than continuing to smoke. The reason for this goes back to the principle of combustion which occurs when a cigarette is lit and produces smoke. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals and about 100 of them trigger smoking-related diseases.

Ultimately, vaping products, heated tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff and snus contain nicotine which is addictive and not risk-free.

Are smoke-free alternatives the same as cigarettes ?

No, smoke-free alternatives are not the same as cigarettes. Cigarettes go through the process of burning tobacco which produces smoke. The main difference with smoke-free alternatives is that it does not require combustion and therefore does not produce smoke.

For example, vaping involves heating an electronic liquid, and a tobacco heating device involves a tobacco heating technology that prevents the tobacco from burning. Both smoke-free alternatives release aerosols containing nicotine, but without any smoke. While some tobacco sets are heated using tobacco sticks that look similar in design to cigarettes, these tobacco sticks are designed for use with the respective device and must not/cannot be burned.

Is vaping without nicotine safe or is it safe to use smoke-free products without nicotine ?

No, vaping without nicotine is not necessarily less harmful.

Many smoke-free alternatives contain nicotine, this is especially true for alternatives that use real tobacco. It may even be easier for adult smokers to switch from conventional cigarettes to smoke-free alternatives if the product contains nicotine. Although smoke-free, smoke-free products still contain nicotine which is addictive and not risk-free.

Are all smoke-free products the same ?

No, smoke-free products are not all the same. There are many types of smoke-free products, that means there are options for adult smokers who want to give up on conventional smoking and switch to other alternatives.

For those who want a lot of customization options and a variety of flavors, starting to explore vaping or e-cigarettes is the right answer. For those who want an experience and satisfaction that are similar to smoking, heated tobacco products can be an option. Tobacco chewing, snuffing, and snus may be of interest to adult smokers seeking a tobacco experience with traditional techniques. While all of these products are different, the only thing smoke-free products have in common is that they don't involve the burning process of tobacco.

Are smoke-free alternatives like heated tobacco and vaping harmful to others around you ?

Due to the absence of combustion, smoke-free alternatives don't irritate those around you with smoke. Because there are many newer smoke-free products on the market, their long-term effects are not very well known. However, in the case of tobacco heated using IQOS, IQOS does not negatively impact indoor air quality*, although it is not risk-free.

*Source: The PMI study was conducted under ISO standards simulating real-world scenarios and based on threshold limits set by existing air quality guidelines.

Heated tobacco and e-cigarettes do produce aerosols. While some of the leading brands have data and science on the aerosols released by their products, it serves as a conclusion and long term effect information. However, this particular study cannot be applied to all categories of smoke-free products.

Are smoke-free products like vaping not addictive ?

No, smoke-free products contain nicotine, which is addictive.

Smoke-free products are intended for adults who will continue to smoke or use nicotine products. Smoke-free products are not intended as a smoking cessation aids.

Should I switch from cigarettes to smoke-free alternatives ?

The best option for reducing the risks associated with the use of tobacco and nicotine products is to stop using tobacco and nicotine altogether. However, for adults who will continue to smoke, switching completely to smoke-free alternatives may be a better option than continuing to smoke.

Learn more about the benefits of switching to IQOS smoke-free alternatives

Where can I buy heated tobacco ?

If you're looking to switch to a smoke-free alternative, IQOS could be a good option to try. There are now 14 million legal age users worldwide who have switched to IQOS. IQOS is available for purchase online on this website, or you can click “Find Us” to find the nearest IQOS Booth/Kiosk location from your home.

Learn more about IQOS tobacco heating devices.

IQOS is a tobacco heating device specially designed for heating tobacco sticks /HEETS, providing adult users with the taste and satisfaction of tobacco, without smoke and ash. Because it doesn't burn tobacco, IQOS produces 95% less chemicals than cigarettes**

Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and contains addictive nicotine.

***95% lower average reduction in levels of harmful chemicals (except nicotine) compared to reference cigarette smoke (3R4F). Not that 95% lower risk.

Find out more about the heating technology behind the IQOS heated tobacco device.

This article is intended for general information and education. 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.