How to Replace Cigarettes, Not the Nicotine

Nicotine is a substance that occurs naturally in tobacco plants, as well as in fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, eggplants, green peppers and potatoes. Many believe that nicotine is the primary cause of smoking-related diseases. Although nicotine is addictive, studies and public health authorities have confirmed that it is not the case; rather, the primary cause of smoking-related diseases (such as cancers and heart disease) comes from the toxins and carcinogens present in cigarette smoke. 

When a cigarette is lit, the tip of it burns - or, combusts - at temperatures at or above 600 degrees C, which causes a chemical reaction to occur. Combustion produces over 6,000 chemicals, and many of them are causing smoking-related diseases. This means that nicotine, while addictive, is not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases – it is combustion that causes them.  

While the best course of action is to quit smoking all together, if an adult smoker doesn’t quit and is looking for an alternative for cigarettes, it is worth it to consider an option that eliminates combustion. What this means is that it is possible to find a replacement for cigarettes that can offer a tobacco and/or nicotine experience, but without the combustion and cigarette smoke.

What cigarette alternatives are available?

Today, many choices exist on the market for those looking for an alternative for cigarettes. E-cigarettes and vapes are well-known alternatives that eliminate combustion. There is also another type of product, called “heat-not-burn” or heated tobacco products. For example, in IQOS, heated tobacco devices, the tobacco used is heated but not burned. Therefore, IQOS does not produce ash or smoke.

IQOS, is a heated tobacco option on the market that is a better alternative to cigarettes. Using its unique HeatControl™ Technology, IQOS heats tobacco sticks called HEETS, containing real, processed tobacco, to temperatures below 350 degrees C and a tobacco vapor is released. IQOS emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.*

* Important information: IQOS is not risk-free. It delivers nicotine, which is addictive. (Read more) 

When choosing a replacement for cigarettes, nicotine delivery and experience could play a role. Depending on the cigarette alternative selected, the way nicotine is delivered, and the experience it could provide, this may help adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products switch fully to the alternative and leave cigarettes behind.

So, replacing smoking cigarettes, but not the nicotine, is possible?

Yes, it is! And IQOS is one option that allows adult smokers to replace cigarettes with an alternative. 

Nicotine is naturally present in the tobacco that is used in HEETS for IQOS devices. With IQOS, nicotine is delivered at very similar amounts and speeds to that of a cigarette, which allows IQOS to provide cigarette-like satisfaction to adult users**. 

**Source: 3 month clinical studies conducted in US and Japan with 160 adult smokers each under real conditions (ambulatory).