Jun 28, 2024

With more smoke-free alternatives entering the market, adult smokers are presented with more options for switching from continued smoking. However, there are also some myths around these products that continue to cause confusion and misinformation. Here, we will debunk the most common myths and provide adult smokers with the answers to frequently asked questions about smoke-free alternatives.

 

What are smoke-free alternatives?

 

Smoke-free alternatives are a product category for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use nicotine products. As the name implies, smoke-free alternatives do not generate smoke, which means that unlike cigarettes, it does not burn tobacco. Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. It’s important to note that the reduction in the formation of harmful chemicals with smoke-free alternatives should be substantiated on a product-by-product basis.

 

Even so, the best decision any smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether.

 

What is heated tobacco?

 

The latest innovation in tobacco for smoke-free alternatives are heated tobacco products, which heat tobacco instead of burning it. Heated tobacco products are designed to heat real tobacco to precise temperatures which prevents combustion or burning. This releases the flavours from heated tobacco, but without the typical problems brought on by combustion, ash and smoke.

 

Learn more about heated tobacco.

 

What is vaping, and what is an e cigarette?

 

E-cigarettes - also called e-cigs or vapes - are a type of smoke-free alternative that may be well-recognised among adult smokers and users. Vapes are handheld, battery-powered devices that come in a variety of sizes, with plenty of customisation options. Some e-cigarettes are disposable, while others can be reused. Some may look like cigarettes, others resemble cigars, or pens, and others have much larger, boxier designs.

 

In general, e-cigarettes work by heating and vaporizing e-liquids that contain flavour and nicotine. Heating the e-liquid to a specific temperature causes it to evaporate into an aerosol, which is then inhaled by the adult user but without any real tobacco.

 

What is chewing tobacco?

 

Chewing tobacco, also referred to as oral or spit tobacco, is a smoke-free alternative that usually comes in the form of loose leaves, plugs or twists of coarsely chopped, dried tobacco which may also be flavored.

 

What is snuff?

 

Also referred to as dipping tobacco, snuff is usually made of loose, dried, finely pulverized tobacco, and can come in different scents and flavors. Typically packed in tins or cans, dried snuff is inhaled through the nose, and moist snuff can be placed in the lower lip and gum to absorb nicotine. Similar to chewing tobacco, excess saliva is spat out.

 

What is snus?

 

A variant of dried snuff, snus are usually finely grounded but comes enclosed in a small pouch. Snus is typically inserted between the upper lip and gum. It does not generate as much saliva as chewing tobacco or snuff, allowing the snus user to simply swallow any saliva.

 

Debunked: 6 myths around smoke-free alternatives

 

Now that we have a better understanding of the smoke-free alternatives available today, let’s go through some common questions about these products.

 

Are smoke-free alternatives a healthy and safe alternative to smoking?

 

No, none of the nicotine-containing products are safe, including smoke-free ones. They are just different alternatives to continued smoking.

 

The best decision any smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products simply provide an alternative solution for those adults who would otherwise continue to smoke. The reason for this goes back to the principle of burning (or combustion) that occurs when a cigarette is lit, which produces smoke. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, and about 100 of them are linked to smoking-related diseases.

 

At the end of the day, vaping, heated tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, and snus products contain nicotine, which is addictive, and are not risk-free.

 

Are all smoke-free alternatives the same?

 

No, smoke-free alternatives are not all the same. They all have varying degrees of risk, but there are many different types of smoke-free alternatives, meaning there are choices for any adult smoker who wants to stop smoking and switch to an alternative.

 

For those who prefer different customisation and flavour options, the vaping or e-cigarette category itself has lots of different products to explore. For smokers who still want an option that uses tobacco, heated tobacco may be an option worth considering. Chewing tobacco, snuff and snus may be interesting for adult smokers looking for something low tech. While all these products differ, the one thing smoke-free alternatives have in common is that they should not burn tobacco.

 

Are smoke-free alternatives like heated tobacco and vapes harmful to others around me?

 

Smoke-free alternatives do not expose those around you to smoke due to the absence of combustion. As many smoke-free alternatives are relatively new on the market, their long term “secondhand effects” are still not well known.

 

Heated tobacco and vapes, however, produce aerosols. While some reputable brands have data and science on the aerosol released by their products to make an informed conclusion about secondhand effects, those specific studies do not apply to this entire category of smoke-free alternatives.

 

Are smoke-free alternatives such as vaping not addictive?

 

No, smoke-free alternatives provide nicotine, which is addictive. Smoke-free products are intended for use by adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use nicotine products and are not intended as cessation devices.

 

Should I switch from cigarettes to smoke-free alternatives?

 

The best option to reduce the health risks associated with the use of tobacco and nicotine products is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. However, for those adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, switching completely to smoke-free alternatives could be something worth considering over continuing to smoke cigarettes.

 

Learn more about the benefits of switching to IQOS smoke-free alternatives.

 

Where can I buy heated tobacco?

 

If you are looking to switch to a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes, IQOS can be an option to consider - and it’s an option that 28.6 million legal-aged users around the world* have already switched to. IQOS is available to buy online on this website, or you can use the store locator to find your nearest location.

 

*Source: PMI Financials or estimates (excluding Russia and Ukraine), IQOS user panels and PMI Market Research. Status as of February 2024. IQOS users for whom PMI heated tobacco sticks represent at least 5% of their daily tobacco consumption over the past 7 days.

 

Learn more about IQOS heated tobacco devices

 

IQOS is a heated tobacco device that heats specially designed sticks from within, providing the adult user with real tobacco, without smoke or ash.

 

Discover more about the heating technology behind IQOS heated tobacco devices. 

 

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.

 

The best option to reduce the health risks associated with the use of tobacco and nicotine products is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. However, for those adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, switching completely to smoke-free alternatives could be something worth considering over continuing to smoke cigarettes.

 

Learn more about the benefits of switching to IQOS smoke-free alternatives.

 

(Disclaimer: 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.) 

 

 

Suggested Reads:

• Are There Common Reasons Why Vapes Stop Working?
• Understanding Tobacco in Vapes and Heated Tobacco
• Smoking Cigarettes to Smoke-Free Alternatives