Do Vapes or Heated Tobacco Taste Like Cigarettes?

Are you considering to switch to a smoke-free alternative, however the question of tobacco taste satisfaction is still holding you back? If you are an adult smoker who is interested in switching to smoke-free alternatives, one of the first things to understand is that the taste of vaping cigarettes or heated tobacco products will be different from what you are used to.

Do cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products all contain tobacco?

To get started, it helps to understand which products contain real tobacco. Cigarettes do contain real tobacco, but the flavor of it has a taste of burned tobacco. While smoke-free alternative products offer more benefits than smoking, not all smoke-free alternatives contain real tobacco, and by understanding this can help you manage your expectations and overall experience when deciding to switch.

One type of smoke-free alternative product that does not use real tobacco is e-cigarettes. E-cigarette is a battery-powered device that heats and vaporizes e-liquid containing flavors and nicotine. As a result, the liquid itself does not contain real tobacco, although there is a lot of tobacco-scented liquid.

On the other hand, heated tobacco products are smoke-free alternatives that use real tobacco. In general, a heated tobacco device heats a custom-made tobacco stick to a precise temperature, allowing an adult user to enjoy the tobacco without burning it, differentiating it to cigarettes.

IQOS tobacco heating device technology, for example, is designed to be used with the unique TEREA tobacco stems, which are made from high-quality tobacco. TEREA comes in a variety of flavors and can deliver a variety of tobacco flavours, from rich and warm, balanced and roasted, to refreshing and cool.

Learn more about heated tobacco.

Do alternatives to smoking provide the same tobacco taste satisfaction as cigarettes? Do vapes or e-cigarettes taste like cigarettes?

Because vapes or e-cigarettes use e- liquid and not real tobacco, the taste you get will be different. E-liquids come in a variety of flavours, which can provide a different experience than what it normally felt with cigarettes.

However, e-liquids that have a tobacco smell will not taste the same as cigarettes because in the end, vaping produces vapor, not cigarette smoke. The taste that is commonly felt by many smokers is the taste of tobacco smoke that is created when a cigarette burns. With vaping, the vapor is created from the e-liquid heated by the heater in the e-cigarette, and that's how adult users feel. That is the main difference between e-cigarettes and real cigarettes. Having a clear understanding about the different taste experiences are a major factor in a successful transition.

Does heated tobacco taste the same as cigarettes?

IQOS heated tobacco provides cigarette-like satisfaction and the taste of real tobacco, which is not exactly the same as cigarettes because the tobacco is not burned. IQOS has a variety of tobacco blends, from balanced and roasted, to fresh and cool.

Most importantly, with IQOS, tobacco never burns - that's the main principle of the device that allows it to provide benefits compared to continuing to smoke. The absence of burning and cigarette smoke from heated tobacco results in a difference taste compared to cigarettes.

Find a wide variety of tobacco heated with IQOS TEREA.

Should I avoid mixing my own e-liquid?

Everyone can find a lot of information online about artificial e-liquids or how to make vaping liquid, but following this information is not recommended. All aspects of vaping, such as the e-cigarette itself and the e-liquid used, are complex considerations that work best when designed by the manufacturer and must follow safety standards when manufacturing e-liquids.

Why is the experience of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco different from smoking?

Aside from the taste experience, there are other changes to expect if you are considering to switch from smoking to vaping or heated tobacco products. With vaping and heated tobacco products, you will need to make an initial investment in purchasing an e-cigarette or heated tobacco device. Several brands offer kits that can help you switch from cigarettes, which generally include a device, accessories such as chargers, and a number of single-use materials (such as e-liquid or tobacco sticks) to try. With these two smoke-free alternatives, a little research is needed to find the best heated tobacco product or the best vape for smokers who are thinking to switch, depending on your personal preferences.

Another change to anticipate is the routinity. Both vaping and heated tobacco products use devices that require charging and general maintenance. You may need to take care of it with proper storage, replacement of parts, cleaning and overall ensuring the device remains in good working condition. Also, you may not be able to buy e-liquid or tobacco sticks in the same places where you normally buy cigarettes. It can also lead to more changes in routinity when deciding on how to get e-liquid or tobacco sticks.

Last but not least, one of the biggest changes a person may experience when switching to e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products from smoking are all the benefits that come with smoke-free alternative products.

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful or potentially harmful chemicals that result from burning. The absence of combustion in smoke-free alternative products has the potential to significantly reduce the levels of harmful chemicals produced and inhaled, which must however be scientifically proven on a case-by-case basis.

In the case of IQOS, no burning means no smoke, no tar (1), no ash and less smell than cigarettes. In fact, science shows that switching completely to IQOS is less harmful than continuing to smoke. IQOS ILUMA emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.* IQOS is a better choice than continuing to smoke.

Important information: This does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS ILUMA 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. See Important Information on IQOS.com

(1) “Tar” is the residue from cigarette smoke after the cigarette is burned. Because IQOS does not burn tobacco, it does not produce tar. The aerosol residue is fundamentally different from the "tar" of cigarettes. The absence of tar does not mean that IQOS is risk free.

Which smoke-free alternative is right for me: vapes or heated tobacco devices?

When it comes to heated tobacco and vaping products, which smoke-free alternative is better for you will depend on your preferences, as well as your desire to give up smoking and switch to a better alternative.

Smoke-free alternative products are not the same as quitting tobacco and nicotine completely, so they are not a smoking cessation aid. Because this product still contains nicotine, which is addictive. If you are a smoker and have health concerns, then the best option is to reduce the health risks associated with the use of tobacco or nicotine products and to stop using tobacco and nicotine products altogether. However, for adults who will continue to smoke, switching completely to smoke-free alternative products may be a better option than continuing to smoke.

The technologies used in e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are ultimately different, making the final experience for adult users different as well. E-cigarettes can be an option for adult smokers who are looking for a completely new experience and may need advanced customization, while tobacco heating devices enable a tobacco experience that looks familiar to adult smokers, equipped with advanced technology.

Ultimately, thanks to rapid advances in science and technology, there are now better alternatives for adults who will continue to smoke. Smoke-free alternatives, including e-cigarettes and tobacco heating products, can be a better choice than cigarettes.

Learn the difference between heated tobacco and vaping cigarettes.

If you're ready to give up smoking and take the step towards smoke-free alternatives and try the new taste experiences, we recommend further researching alternatives on smoking to determine which is best for you. Learn more about IQOS heated tobacco products.

Discover IQOS heated tobacco device.

This article is general information and is intended for educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external third party sources and we do not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.