The combustion of tobacco is the main problem

27 Jan 2021

The science behind IQOS: Combustion is the main problem

For a long time people have believed and continue to believe that the tobacco plant and specifically the nicotine naturally present in tobacco leaves is the cause of medical conditions related to tobacco use. However, a large proportion of society do not know that the main cause is the process associated with the way tobacco is consumed: combustion.
Nicotine is present in other plant products, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and aubergines, although in lower amounts than is found in tobacco. They all belong to the Solanaceae family, along with tobacco plants.
The medical conditions related to tobacco use are not primarily a result of the presence of nicotine in this plant, but instead to the combustion of tobacco that happens when a person smokes.
The key is heating not burning
The smoke that is produced when tobacco is burned releases over 6,000 chemical substances. Around 100 of these substances has been identified as causes or possible causes of medical conditions linked to smoking. The best decision that any smoker can make is to quit cigarettes and nicotine altogether. But, for people like you who are looking for a better alternative to cigarettes, and therefore to combustion, a better option could be to replace conventional cigarettes with IQOS and join the myIQOS community of incombustibles.
When tobacco is heated rather than burned, we significantly reduce the levels of harmful chemical substances present in cigarette smoke. That’s why choosing heated tobacco is a better alternative to continuing to smoke.
Important information: IQOS is not risk-free. It delivers nicotine, which is addictive.
Why IQOS is a better alternative to cigarettes: its HeatControl™ technology
By combining science and technology we have developed a better alternative to cigarettes, which thanks to its HeatControl™ Technology does not burn the tobacco, ensuring that combustion does not happen. With IQOS a tobacco vapour is released, which significantly reduces the levels of harmful chemical substances as compared to a cigarette.
Over 12.7 million adult smokers have stopped burning tobacco and have chosen tobacco heating with IQOS*. They make up a community of incombustibles who have found a better alternative to cigarettes.
Find out more about the benefits of this tobacco heating technology.

*Source: PMI Financials or estimates, IQOS user panels and PMI Market Research. Status as of March 2020. IQOS users who have completely quit cigarettes and for whom PMI HeatSticks represent at least 70% of their past 7-day heated tobacco consumption.