What Is Harm Reduction When It Comes to Heated Tobacco?

"The significant harm that smoking cigarettes can cause is well-known, but did you know the biggest risks of tobacco/smoking come from when a cigarette is burnt? The reduction of risk that comes with IQOS when compared to cigarettes can be a huge factor in an adult smoker’s decision to switch. 

What Does Harm Reduction Mean?

Simply put, harm reduction involves reducing damaging factors that may pose a risk. In relation to smoking, although it does not remove the risk of harm completely, switching to IQOS heated tobacco from cigarettes may reduce the risks of smoking. This is because there is no combustion. Did you know that switching completely to IQOS presents less risk to your health than continuing to smoke*? After all, IQOS emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes*, and does not produce smoke. 

*Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke. 

** “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.

What Are the Health Risks of Cigarettes?

Cigarettes are widely known to be harmful. The toxic chemicals, such as carbon monoxide and tar, that come from burning cigarettes can cause serious damage to your health. That’s why harm reduction can be so important for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke. In IQOS heated tobacco, an adult smoker can find a satisfying tobacco experience that presents less risk than continuing to smoke.* 

*Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke. See Important information.

How Does Heated Tobacco Work? 

Cigarettes burn tobacco at 400 º Celsius, rising to 800 º in some cases. IQOS optimally heats tobacco up to 350º Celsius, avoiding combustion. This means no smoke is created. Instead, there is a tobacco vapor that contains on average 95% lower levels of harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke, presenting less risk to your health than continued smoking.*  

* “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.

The latest IQOS device, the IQOS ILUMA, uses SMARTCORE INDUCTION TECHNOLOGY, a new way to heat not burn tobacco. This product accompanies the latest heated tobacco sticks. Both IQOS ILUMA and tobacco sticks specially designed for IQOS ILUMA™ deviceshave been crafted with extensive research to give adult smokers an authentic tobacco experience. 

IQOS ILUMA™ is designed to be used only with tobacco sticks specially designed for IQOS ILUMA™ devices. Do not use IQOS ILUMA™ and tobacco sticks specially designed for IQOS ILUMA™ devices with previous IQOS™ generations, as this may cause damage to your device. Do not ingest or disassemble tobacco sticks specially designed for IQOS ILUMA™ devices. This product contains a sharp metal part which can cause serious injury if swallowed. Keep out of reach of children. More information on iqos.com. 

Learn more about heated tobacco.

Can Heated Tobacco Be Less Harmful Than Cigarettes?

Many adult smokers believe that nicotine is the cause of harm in smoking. In fact, it is the burning of tobacco which creates significant risk as harmful chemicals are released in the smoke. By removing combustion (or burning) and heating the tobacco instead, IQOS emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.* 

At IQOS, we’re committed to providing a smoke-free future, with less harmful options for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke or use nicotine products. However, the best recommendation for your health is to stop nicotine consumption entirely. 

* “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.

Examples of Harm Reduction Effects When Using IQOS Heated Tobacco Products

- IQOS does not produce tar because it heats tobacco instead of burning it. It generates an aerosol residue that is fundamentally different from tar and consists of significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals.* IQOS emits on average 95% lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.* 

- IQOS produces no ash 

- IQOS doesn’t burn tobacco, producing on average 98% less carbon monoxide (CO) and significantly lower levels of other harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.** 

*Reductions in levels of the 9 harmful chemicals the World Health Organization recommends to reduce in cigarette smoke, which do not include nicotine.See Important information.

** We measured the levels of the 9 harmful chemicals the World Health Organization recommends to reduce in cigarette smoke, which do not include nicotine, and these are reduced on average by 95%. See Important information.

Shop IQOS heated tobacco devices. 

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.