What are the different options for smoking alternatives?
Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are one of the alternatives to cigarette. They do not contain tobacco, but rather, use e-liquids that are generally flavored. The e-liquids are heated to generate an aerosol, or what some users may call, vapor. There is a very wide range of e-cigarettes and e-liquids on the market, all with varying performance. If you are considering e-cigarettes as a replacement for cigarettes, one difference that e-cigarettes have over cigarettes is that they are smoke-free. Tobacco does not burn in the case of e-cigarettes since nothing gets lit on fire. This is important to note as we’ll discuss a bit later with respect to cigarettes.
There is also another type of cigarette alternative, called “heat-not-burn”, or heated tobacco, which uses real tobacco that’s specially processed. Innovative technology heats the tobacco in the device to a specific temperature, which also means there’s nothing being lit with fire. Once again, this prevents combustion from happening, and as a result, heat-not-burn products have the same difference from cigarettes as e-cigarettes of being smoke-free.
IQOS is one such heat-not-burn alternative to smoking. Developed by Philip Morris International, IQOS utilizes a smart technology called HeatControl™ to precisely control the heating temperature of specially designed tobacco sticks, called HEETS™
How is IQOS heated tobacco different than smoking cigarettes?
The most important difference between IQOS heated tobacco and smoking cigarettes is this: while IQOS is not risk-free and does deliver nicotine, which is addictive, IQOS heated tobacco is a better choice than continuing to smoke cigarettes.
The main reason for this has already been hinted to – it’s based on how IQOS eliminates combustion. The lit end of cigarettes can reach temperatures around and above 600°C as the tobacco burns – or combusts. Combustion produces over 6,000 chemicals, and many of them are linked to smoking-related diseases. On the other hand, IQOS only heats the tobacco up to 350°C, which stops the tobacco from burning.
Using IQOS as an alternative to continued smoking cigarettes has several benefits
1. No cigarette smoke: Unlike cigarettes, IQOS does not produce smoke, but rather, a tobacco vapor.
2. No ash: Since IQOS does not burn tobacco, it also does not produce ash.
3. Less lingering smell: The tobacco vapor produced by IQOS dissipates more quickly than cigarette smoke, leaving less lingering smell than cigarettes. Your hands, hair, clothes – and maybe even those who are close to you – will thank you!
4. Less of a bother: As IQOS produces less smell than cigarettes, it is less likely to bother people around you.
Replacing cigarettes with an alternative¹ that does not produce cigarette smoke or ash – but still provides real tobacco taste and satisfaction – is possible with IQOS.
¹Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke.
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Important Information: This product is not risk free and provides nicotine, which is addictive. Only for use by adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products.
IQOS are only for adult smokers who otherwise wish to continue to use tobacco or nicotine containing products.
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.
