IQOS Heated Tobacco Products Vs. E-Cigarettes/Vapes - What is the difference?

Jul 29, 2024

IQOS Heated Tobacco Products Vs. E-Cigarettes/Vapes - What is the difference?

What are e-cigarettes/vape?

 

E-cigarettes/Vapes are electronic hand-held devices that are smoke-free alternative to cigarettes. In general, they are powered by a battery and heat e-liquids in order to generate an aerosol or what some users call vapour. The e-liquids offer various flavours and may or may not contain nicotine.

 

How do e-cigarettes/vape work?

 

There are many types of e-cigarettes/vapes. They differ in size, power, customisation options, and even their ability to be reusable or disposable. However, most of them work on the same principle and with similar components.

 

The principle:

 

E-cigarettes/Vapes heat and vaporise e-liquids in a wide range of temperatures from 100 ⁰C - 250 ⁰C. They achieve this by drawing the liquid from a tank and putting it in contact with a battery powered heating element. When the liquid is evaporated it is drawn from the device through a mouthpiece.

 

The components:

 

  • The battery - The energy source for the whole device. In most cases it is rechargeable and provides power to the heating element and electronic components.
  • The tank - The container used to store liquid until taken to the heating element or chamber. Some e-cigarettes/vapes use capsules or pods that are disposable.
  • The e-liquid - The mixture that is vaporised inside the e-cigarette/vape. While there are many variants of the liquids, they usually contain propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine, flavourings and various additives but do not contain real tobacco.
  • The heater - The set of components that draw the liquid toward the heating element and heat to vaporise. Most e-cigarettes/vapes use a “wick and coil” system. The wick naturally soaks the liquid and puts it in contact with the metal coil which is the part that heats.
  • The sensors and electric components - Control the heating and operation of the device. They range from simple push to activate buttons, LEDs, battery indicators or to advanced flow sensors.
  • The mouthpiece - The chamber or channel where the vaporised liquid is drawn from the device.

 

What is IQOS?

 

IQOS is a heated tobacco device developed by Philip Morris International that uses an innovative tobacco heating system called HeatControl™ Technology. This type of tobacco heating technology is also referred to as “Heat-not-Burn”, because it heats real tobacco instead of burning it, unlike e-cigarette/vape which heats an e-liquid to deliver aerosol and does not contain any tobacco. “Heat-not-Burn” also differentiates IQOS from cigarettes as no combustion takes place.

 

IQOS heats the tobacco to a maximum of 350 ⁰C – much lower than cigarettes, which burn at temperatures around 600 ⁰C. While both e-cigarettes/vapes and IQOS are smoke-free alternatives, with IQOS, a legal-aged user is able to enjoy the tobacco with no fire, no ash and no smoke. While IQOS heated tobacco is not risk-free, it allows IQOS adult users to experience tobacco with less chances to bother people around them.

 

Important information: IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.

 

Currently, there are several options of IQOS devices to choose from – such as IQOS ILUMA, IQOS ILUMA PRIME, and IQOS ILUMA ONE. Some IQOS heated tobacco devices have a separate holder and charger, while others have those components integrated as an all-in-one device. These different options allow adult users to select IQOS heated tobacco device that best suits their lifestyle.

 

See a comparison between the devices.

 

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.)

 

 

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