What’s in a Cigarette?

Ever wondered how cigarettes are made and what goes into them? For an adult smoker, it might come as no surprise to know that cigarettes contain - and produce - harmful substances. The word “produce” deserves special emphasis, as many of the problematic substances in cigarettes are not necessarily the ingredients. Rather, they are substances produced through burning - or combustion.

The Ingredients of a Cigarette

Identifying the ingredients of a cigarette isn’t too difficult - there are a few key ones that make up a cigarette, depending on the brand. What makes identifying factors in a cigarette challenging is the thousands of chemicals produced by a burning cigarette. Before we review this factor, let’s first examine what one might consider the “main ingredient of a cigarette.” Which is, of course, the tobacco leaf.

The tobacco leaf contains and releases nicotine when a cigarette is burnt. It is important to note that nicotine is an addictive chemical. However, contrary to popular belief, nicotine is not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases. Other non-tobacco materials such as paper can also be found in a cigarette. So, now you know what some of the cigarette ingredients are, it can be useful to understand there is more to cigarettes than just what goes into them.

What Does a Burning Cigarette Produce?

During combustion, a burning cigarette releases thousands of chemicals which can be harmful, such as carbon monoxide. This harmful gas is released when an adult smoker has a cigarette, and it can have significant implications. Learn about the impact of carbon monoxide by following the link. The same is true for tar, which can cause problems - learn more with the ‘Guide to Tar’.

Are There Alternatives to Smoking Cigarettes?

If you are an adult smoker who’s looking to switch to a smoke-free alternative, you might not know just how many options there are available to you. Some tobacco heating systems utilize heating technology instead of relying on combustion (like burning cigarettes do). However, the lack of combustion should be substantiated on a product-by-product basis. Incorporating heated tobacco sticks, IQOS provides real tobacco taste and satisfaction, but without tar. Cigarettes produce tar – IQOS doesn’t. Tar is the residue from smoke after a cigarette is burned.

IQOS does not produce tar because it heats tobacco instead of burning it. IQOS generates an aerosol residue that is fundamentally different from tar and consists of significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals.* Switching completely to IQOS is less harmful than continuing to smoke.**

* 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.

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

The best decision any smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. IQOS are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.

The IQOS Range of Products

Combustion in a cigarette, and the thousands of harmful chemicals produced during this process, is a problematic factor in smoking. Switching completely to IQOS presents less risk to your health than continuing to smoke*. Furthermore, IQOS provides cigarette-like satisfaction** through tobacco sticks that work with an IQOS device.

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

** Based on clinical studies, aerosol chemistry and declaration of satisfaction level from 600 adult consumers in Japan, 2022.

The IQOS ILUMA is the latest in heated tobacco innovation. IQOS ILUMA is easy to use and enjoy with simpler insertion and removal of tobacco sticks compared to previous generations of IQOS. In addition, IQOS ILUMA provides real tobacco taste and satisfaction. Find the IQOS ILUMA online. IQOS ILUMA is designed to be used exclusively with tobacco sticks specially designed for IQOS ILUMA devices and it's only by using both together that you will fully take advantage of all the benefits.

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.