A Guide to Tar in Cigarettes & Heated Tobacco

Cigarette tar is a by-product of smoking. This article will discuss tar, and whether heated tobacco products produce tar.

What Is Tar?

Tar is a designation that was originally given to the smoke collected from a burning cigarette and from which all water and nicotine have been removed. In other words, it’s the total weight of solid and liquid residue in cigarette smoke after the weight of nicotine and water has been subtracted. Some of the chemicals present in cigarette smoke, and thus in cigarette tar, can lead to smoking-related diseases.

Do Low Tar Cigarettes Exist?

Low tar cigarettes do exist, however there is a public health and scientific consensus that tar is not an accurate indicator of risk or harm, and that reporting of tar measurements on cigarette packs is misleading to consumers. In addition, low tar cigarettes still rely on combustion. Burning is arguably the most problematic factor in smoking because many of a cigarette’s most harmful chemicals are produced during this process.

Do IQOS Heated Tobacco Devices Produce Tar?

IQOS tobacco heating and vaping devices are alternatives to smoking that are uniquely designed to provide a satisfying sensorial and taste experience. Tar is the residue from smoke after a cigarette is burned. 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 provides cigarette-like satisfaction.** The best decision any smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether.

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

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

When it comes to the latest in heated tobacco innovation, IQOS ILUMA could be an example. This tobacco heating device uses a SMARTCORE INDUCTION SYSTEM to heat - not burn - tobacco. Shop for IQOS ILUMA online.

IQOS are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.

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.