Are you considering a switch from cigarettes to something different, like a tobacco heating product? Well, you’re not alone.
To date, million people have quit smoking worldwide and have chosen IQOS devices, which deploy heating tobacco technology without burning it, offering a satisfying tobacco experience without smoke or ash.
But as with many innovations, IQOS too is surrounded by myths that can cause confusion about how it works and how it should be used. So now is the time to separate fact from fiction.
Here, we debunk the most widespread myths about IQOS, backed by scientific data and verified information.
Myths and facts
MYTH: IQOS burns tobacco
FACT: Quite the opposite. While conventional cigarettes burn tobacco, IQOS heats it and this is one of the most fundamental differences. Cigarettes burn tobacco, reaching high temperatures, and producing ash, tar, and smoke with high number and levels of harmful chemicals. Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of over 6000 chemical substances, around 100 of which have been linked to smoking-related diseases by public health authorities. IQOS ILUMA SMARTCORE INDUCTION SYSTEM™ technology and IQOS HeatControl™ technology heat tobacco to a lower temperature, ensuring that combustion does not occur. Because there is no combustion, IQOS does not produce tar*, ash and smoke. It generates a tobacco vapor that brings you a high-quality tobacco taste experience.Having said that, this does not imply that IQOS is risk-free, as it still contains nicotine, which is known to be addictive.
MYTH: IQOS produces smoke
FACT: IQOS devices provide a smoke-free experience, since they heat the tobacco sticks rather than burning them. As a result, the substance emitted is not the same as common cigarette-smoke.. This aerosol dissipates quickly and lacks the strong and lingering presence of cigarette smoke, while it does not contain any tar (a combustion by-product). As a result, the experience differs from that of conventional smoking, offering substantially less odor and fewer visible emissions.
MYTH: IQOS tobacco sticks do not contain nicotine
FACT: All IQOS tobacco sticks – TEREA, Fiit and Levia – contain nicotine and, currently, there are no nicotine-free options. Specifically:
- All TEREA sticks are designed exclusively for IQOS ILUMA devices and use the cutting-edge Smartcore Induction System™. They are available in a wide range of flavors, from classic (TEREA Bronze) to more aromatic ones (TEREA Turquoise).
- Fiit sticks are designed for the lil SOLID device and offer flavor options like Fiit Regular, Fiit Element Clay and Fiit Marine.
- Levia sticks, which are zero tobacco sticks that still contain nicotine, are compatible with IQOS ILUMA and have more balanced taste elements, which provide a milder smoking experience.
MYTH: IQOS is completely harmless
FACT: IQOS is not risk free, it contains nicotine that is addictive.
MYTH: IQOS is the same as vaping
FACT: Actually, IQOS is completely different from vaping products, as it doesn’t rely on liquid refills and it doesn’t produce vapor. It heats processed tobacco at a controlled temperature, avoiding combustion, whereas e-cigarettes (or vaping devices) vaporize a nicotine-infused liquid that contains flavorings, but no actual tobacco.
If you're interested in vaping, IQOS offers a separate product line, namely VEEV, which includes models like the IQOS VEEV ONE (a pod-based vaping system) and the IQOS VEEV NOW Ultra (a premium disposable vape), providing consistent performance and ease of use.
MYTH: I can use regular cigarettes in my IQOS device
FACT: If you are wondering whether you can use regular cigarettes with your IQOS device, the answer is no. All IQOS devices are designed to operate only with their respective tobacco sticks – TEREA, Fiit, or Levia – specifically made with heating-not-burning technology. Any other tobacco product will fail to deliver the expected experience and may also affect the functionality of the device.
MYTH: IQOS doesn’t offer the same satisfaction as a cigarette
FACT: : By using real tobacco, IQOS sticks provide an authentic flavor and a satisfying experience that mirrors the sensation of smoking a conventional cigarette. They are intended for adult smokers who may not want to quit smoking entirely, but are open to trying something different, addressing the needs of those seeking a modern, innovative alternative to smoking.
MYTH: IQOS helps you quit smoking
FACT: : Although there is widespread misconception about its role, IQOS is not intended to be a smoking cessation tool. Instead, it’s an alternative for adult smokers who have chosen to continue smoking, offering them smoke-free heated tobacco products as a substitute for cigarettes and not as a quitting aid.
MYTH: IQOS stands for "I Quit Ordinary Smoking"
FACT: : IQOS is not an acronym and does not stand for “I Quit Ordinary Smoking,” as it is sometimes suggested. It is simply the brand name used by Philip Morris International (PMI) for their line of scientifically developed, smoke-free products designed to offer alternatives to traditional cigarettes.
