What is
heated tobacco?

Heated tobacco is an alternative to smoking. It's real tobacco, just heated instead of burnt. That's why heated tobacco doesn't produce smoke or ash.
How does IQOS heated tobacco work?

IQOS heated tobacco devices use advanced technology to heat specially designed SMARTCORETM sticks at a lower temperature than cigarettes, avoiding combustion. Since the tobacco doesn’t burn, IQOS ILUMA emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.* 


More about IQOS science
Important information: This does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS ILUMA is not risk-free.

*“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.


How to use our heated tobacco technology

When you insert a SMARTCORETM stick into your IQOS ILUMA, the SMARTCORETM technology inside your device cleverly heats the SMARTCORETM stick from its core without burning it. A controlled process, it unlocks the taste of real tobacco and provides a cigarette-like satisfaction* for up to 6 minutes, or 14 puffs (whichever comes first). 


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

The IQOS ILUMA range brings the latest advancements in Heat Not Burn technology, powered by an innovative SMARTCORE INDUCTION system.

This technology allows IQOS ILUMA devices to deliver a heated tobacco experience through the expertly crafted SMARTCORE INDUCTION SYSTEM, featuring a central metal heating element within the SMARTCORETM STICK. The innovative setup ensures effortless insertion and removal of the stick, leaving no tobacco residue and eliminating the need to clean the heating chamber. With its advanced design, the induction heating system simplifies the heated tobacco experience like never before.

Learn more about the technology behind the IQOS ILUMA.
Explore the IQOS ILUMA i range.
IQOS ILUMA i PRIME
Aspen Green
Our most refined, intelligent device.​
IQOS ILUMA i
Terracotta
For a flexible and effortless experience.​
IQOS ILUMA i ONE
Violet
Compact and seamless experience.

A better alternative to continued smoking.

Curious?

Unlock the benefits of IQOS heated tobacco
Real tobacco taste
By heating the tobacco, instead of burning it like conventional cigarettes, you get to experience the real taste of tobacco, without smoke or ash.
Less harmful chemicals than cigarettes
By heating tobacco, instead of burning it, IQOS emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.*
No smoke. No ash.
Unlike cigarettes, IQOS does not burn tobacco and therefore produces no smoke.
Shop IQOS ILUMA devices
Important information: This does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS ILUMA is not risk-free.

*“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.

Heated tobacco experience
Wondering why IQOS heated tobacco is a better alternative to cigarettes?
IQOS is a better choice than continued smoking as it emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.*
IQOS heated tobacco vs vaping
IQOS devices gently heat real tobacco, without combustion, to release a nicotine-containing vapour, preserving the authentic taste of tobacco. In contrast, vaping involves the vaporisation of e-liquids, which may contain nicotine but do not contain tobacco.
Common questions about heated tobacco

Depending on the product, the scent produced by smoking a cigarette can differ from that of SMARTCORETM sticks. IQOS ILUMA generates no cigarette smell and produces less smell than cigarettes.*

*93% agreement amongst 674 adult consumers in Japan and Italy, 2020 – 2021.

While both are smoke-free alternatives to cigarettes, heated tobacco and vaping are not the same. Heated tobacco devices heat tobacco to release a nicotine containing vapour without combustion, while vapes use e-liquids that are vapourised, often without any tobacco present.

SMARTCORETM sticks are tightly packed cylinders of tobacco, wrapped in a paper-like material and depending on the type of stick, with specific internal components. They are inserted into the Heat Not Burn device, which heats the tobacco to release a nicotine containing aerosol and flavour.

Both heated tobacco and vaping are less harmful alternatives to smoking and use electronic devices. The main difference between heated tobacco and vaping is what is used with the device itself and the technology.
Heated tobacco uses real tobacco, offering an alternative to cigarette smoking, whereas e-cigarettes use liquids and contain no tobacco.

IQOS is a less harmful alternative to cigarettes and IQOS ILUMA emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.* 

Important information: This does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS ILUMA is not risk-free.

* “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.


There are many benefits of IQOS heated tobacco, such as:

1. Less harmful chemicals than smoking cigarettes: 

IQOS ILUMA emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.* 

Important information: This does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS ILUMA is not risk-free.


*“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 on IQOS.com. 


2. No Tar

IQOS generates an aerosol residue that is fundamentally different from tar and consists of significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals.


3. IQOS ILUMA produces less smell than cigarettes.* 

As IQOS ILUMA produces less smell than cigarettes, it is less likely to bother people around you.**

*93% agreement amongst 674 adult consumers in Japan and Italy, 2020 – 2021.

**85% agreement amongst 674 adult consumers in Japan and Italy, 2020 – 2021.


4. Unlike cigarettes, IQOS ILUMA has no risk of burning others around you, pets, clothes, and furniture as there is no lit end.


5. IQOS ILUMA will leave significantly less staining on your curtains and furniture than cigarette smoke.


6. Consumers who use IQOS ILUMA say that their breath smells better than it did with cigarettes.*

*85% agreement amongst 674 adult consumers in Japan and Italy, 2020 – 2021.


You can purchase IQOS heated tobacco products at authorised retailers, selected convenience stores, and specialty shops, check our Store locator as well as Online shop.

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