Understanding Tobacco in Vapes and Heated Tobacco

There are many smoking alternatives out there today available for adult smokers, with each offering different functions and features. A lot of adult smokers tend to group all smoking alternatives as an “e-cigarette”, but e-cigarettes are only one type of smoking alternative, specifically referring to a type of smoke-free alternative that does not contain real tobacco.

The best decision any smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. These alternatives should only be considered for adult smokers or nicotine users who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products.

Let’s learn more about the available options.

First things first. What are e-cigarettes?

Electronic cigarettes – also called e-cigarettes or vapes – are one type of alternative to smoking. The key thing to note about e-cigarettes is that they do not utilize real tobacco. Rather, they heat e-liquids (sometimes called vaping liquid), which evaporates, producing a vapor that is drawn from the device through a mouthpiece.

No combustion occurs when a legal-aged user draws from an e-cigarette, as nothing burns.

Instead of smoke, vapour is inhaled, which is why e-cigarettes are often considered a smoke-free alternative. The e-liquids used in these devices offer a variety of flavours and may come with or without nicotine. So even though some e-liquids mimic tobacco flavours, there are no e-cigarettes or vapes that use real tobacco.

If e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, what type of alternatives to cigarettes do?

While you won’t be able to find an “e-cigarette tobacco”, if you are an adult who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products, there are smoke-free tobacco products that you can explore. In this case, heated tobacco may be worth exploring.

Heated tobacco, or heat-not-burn, is a type of smoke-free technology. It uses a device that heats real tobacco instead of burning it. Heated tobacco products, like IQOS, are designed to heat tobacco to precise temperatures, meaning there is nothing being lit with fire. This prevents combustion from happening, making heat-not-burn products smoke-free.

How do I choose between e-cigarettes and heated tobacco?

Once the distinction between heated tobacco and e-cigarettes like vape is understood, it is a matter of personal preference for the adult smoker who is looking for a smoking alternative.

The best option to reduce the health risks associated with the use of tobacco and nicotine products is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. However, for those adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, switching completely to smoke-free alternatives could be something worth considering over continuing to smoke cigarettes.

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

(Disclaimer: 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.)