If you’re a smoker looking to quit, you may have heard about IQOS and wondered if it’s a type of vape. While both IQOS and vaping involve inhaling nicotine, they are not the same thing. IQOS is a heated tobacco product, while vaping involves inhaling an aerosol produced by heating a liquid (e-juice) containing nicotine.
The IQOS device has been developed by Philip Morris International (PMI), a company based in Switzerland. The device, as an alternative to traditional cigarettes, which has been available for purchase since 2014, has successfully converted large numbers of smokers to heated tobacco products.
The company behind IQOS has humble beginnings and started as a single shop in London’s Bond Street in 1847. The shop was opened by Mr. Philip Morris who sold his customers ready-made cigarettes.
In 1908, the company established its most famous brand Marlboro and registered it as a trademark. In 1919, Philip Morris was acquired in the United States where it was incorporated in Virginia. The operations head center moved from Rye Brook, NY to Lausanne in Switzerland in 2001.
Philip Morris International first started taking steps into the field of heated tobacco products as early as 1990 when the company presented its first prototype. This prototype heated tobacco without burning it. The predecessors of IQOS included “Accord” and “Heatbar”.
IQOS works by heating tobacco sticks, called HeatSticks or HEETS, to produce a nicotine-containing aerosol that is then inhaled. Unlike traditional cigarettes, which burn tobacco to produce smoke, IQOS heats the tobacco to a lower temperature, which PMI claims reduces the levels of harmful chemicals in the aerosol.
While IQOS is not a vape, it has been marketed as a “smoke-free” alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, it’s important to note that IQOS still contains nicotine, which is an addictive substance. Additionally, while PMI claims that IQOS produces lower levels of harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes, some studies have raised concerns about the potential health risks of using heated tobacco products.
Understanding IQOS
If you’re curious about IQOS, you might be wondering how it works and what sets it apart from other smoking alternatives like e-cigarettes or vapes. IQOS stands for “I Quit Ordinary Smoking,” and it’s a device that heats tobacco instead of burning it.
The technology behind IQOS is called HeatControl, and it’s designed to heat tobacco to a specific temperature without burning it. This process creates a tobacco vapor that you inhale, similar to the experience of smoking a cigarette.
One of the key differences between IQOS and vapes is that IQOS uses real tobacco, while vapes use e-liquid or vaping liquid. This means that IQOS may be more appealing to people who prefer the taste and experience of real tobacco.
Another difference is that IQOS produces no smoke or ash, making it a potentially cleaner and more convenient option than traditional cigarettes. However, it’s important to note that IQOS is not risk-free and still contains nicotine, which is addictive.
Overall, IQOS is a unique alternative to smoking that offers a different experience and potentially fewer harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes. If you’re interested in trying IQOS, it’s important to do your research and understand the potential risks and benefits before making a decision.
IQOS Vs Vaping
If you’re trying to choose between IQOS and vaping, it’s important to understand the differences between the two.
Technology
IQOS uses a heat-not-burn technology that heats tobacco instead of burning it, creating a tobacco vapor that is inhaled. On the other hand, traditional vaping uses e-liquids that are heated to create a vapor that is inhaled.
Nicotine Content
Both IQOS and traditional vaping allow users to choose the level of nicotine they want to consume. However, IQOS uses tobacco sticks that come in predetermined nicotine levels, whereas traditional vaping allows users to choose from a variety of e-liquids with different nicotine levels.
Health Risks
While both IQOS and traditional vaping are considered safer alternatives to smoking, they still come with health risks. IQOS is less harmful than smoking, but still more harmful than traditional vaping, according to a study by the French Cancer Institute and the French Public Health Research Institute. Traditional vaping has been shown to have some negative health effects, but is still considered a safer alternative to smoking.
Cost
The cost of IQOS and traditional vaping can vary depending on the brand and location. IQOS is generally more expensive than traditional vaping, as the tobacco sticks used in IQOS must be purchased separately. Traditional vaping requires the purchase of an e-cigarette device and e-liquids, but can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Overall, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of both IQOS and traditional vaping before making a decision. Consider factors such as technology, nicotine content, health risks, and cost to determine which option is best for you.
How Does IQOS Work
IQOS is a tobacco heating system that uses Heat-Not-Burn technology to deliver nicotine to users. This technology heats tobacco-filled sticks, called Heatsticks, to produce a nicotine-rich aerosol, instead of burning the tobacco like traditional cigarettes.
Heat-Not-Burn Technology
Heat-Not-Burn technology is a heating process that heats tobacco at a lower temperature than combustion, which is the process that occurs when tobacco is burned in a traditional cigarette. The lower temperature heating process produces an aerosol that contains nicotine, but without the harmful chemicals that are produced when tobacco is burned.
IQOS Components
IQOS consists of two main components: the holder and the Heatstick. The holder is a device that heats the Heatstick. When a user inserts the Heatstick into the holder, the holder heats the tobacco in the Heatstick to produce an aerosol that the user inhales.
The Heatstick is a small stick that contains tobacco and is wrapped in a special paper. The tobacco in the Heatstick is heated by the holder, which produces the nicotine-rich aerosol that is inhaled by the user.
Overall, IQOS uses Heat-Not-Burn technology to deliver nicotine to users without the harmful chemicals that are produced when tobacco is burned in traditional cigarettes.
