Jul 29, 2024

Do cigarettes, e-cigarettes/vapes, and heated tobacco products all contain tobacco?

 

To begin, it helps to understand which products contain real tobacco. Cigarettes contain real tobacco, but the taste of cigarettes is the taste of burnt tobacco. While smoke-free alternatives offer benefits in comparison to continued cigarette smoking, not all smoke-free alternatives contain real tobacco, and understanding this helps set expectations for the overall experience when switching.

 

One type of smoke-free alternative that does not utilise real tobacco is e-cigarettes/vapes. E-cigarettes/vapes are battery-powered devices that heat up and vaporize e-liquids containing flavour and nicotine. As a result, the e-liquid itself does not contain real tobacco, though there are a lot of e-liquids that are tobacco flavoured.

 

On the other hand, heated tobacco products are a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes that utilise real tobacco. In general, heated tobacco devices heat up specially made tobacco to a precise temperature, allowing the adult user to enjoy the tobacco without having it burn, as it would with a cigarette.

 

Do smoking alternatives give the same tobacco experience as cigarettes?

 

For the reason that vapes or e-cigarettes utilise e-liquid and not real tobacco, the experience an adult user gets from using e-cigarettes/vapes vs cigarettes will differ. E-liquid comes in a variety of flavours, which can provide a different experience than what is typically associated with cigarettes.

 

However, even e-liquids that are tobacco flavoured will not be the same as a cigarette because ultimately, e-cigarettes/vapes create vapour, not smoke and do not use real tobacco to deliver aerosol. The flavour that many smokers are used to is that of the tobacco that is created when the cigarette burns. When one uses an e-cigarette/vape, a vapour is created from the e-liquid being in contact with the heating element in the e-cigarette/vape, and that is what the adult user tastes. That is a key difference in e-cigarette/vape vs real cigarette. Understanding that it will not be entirely the same experience is a key factor in a successful switch.

 

Is a heated tobacco product the same as a cigarette?

 

Heated tobacco products like IQOS heat real, specially prepared tobacco, and not e-liquids like vapes and e-cigarettes. It heats real tobacco to a precise temperature to deliver vapour, which is not the same as a cigarette which is burned and delivers smoke. IQOS has a range of tobacco blends, from balanced and crisp, to fresh and vibrant.

 

Crucially, with IQOS, tobacco never burns - that is the main principle of the device which allows it to bring benefits in comparison to continued smoking. The absence of combustion and smoke from heated tobacco results in no smoke smell, no ash, and no smoke.

 

Should I avoid mixing my own e-liquid?

 

One can find a lot of information online about DIY e-liquid or how to make e-cigarette/vape liquid, but following this information is not advised. All aspects of vaping, such as the e-cigarette itself and the e-liquids used, are complex considerations that work best when designed and produced by regulated and reputable companies who follow safety standards when making the e-liquid. When choosing e-cigarette/vape, please choose products from reputable companies.

 

How else is the e-cigarette/vape and heated tobacco experience different to that of smoking cigarettes?

 

There are changes to expect if you are considering switching from smoking to e-cigarette/vape or heated tobacco. With both e-cigarette/vape and heated tobacco, it is necessary to make an initial investment in purchasing the e-cigarette/vape or heated tobacco device. Some brands offer a kit that can help you to switch from cigarettes, which generally includes the device and accessories like chargers. With both of these smoke-free alternatives, a little research is required to find the best heated tobacco product or the best e-cigarette/vape for smokers looking to switch, depending on your personal preferences.

 

Another change to anticipate is routine. Both e-cigarette/vape and heated tobacco utilise devices that require charging and general maintenance. You may need to take care of it with proper storage, parts replacement, cleaning and overall ensuring the device stays in good working condition.

 

It's worth noting that you would be able to purchase e-liquids and heated tobacco at most retailers like 7-Eleven or MyNews, similar to where you would normally purchase your cigarettes.

 

Lastly but most importantly, one of the biggest changes that one might experience when switching to e-cigarettes/vapes or heated tobacco from smoking cigarettes is all the benefits that come with a smoke-free alternative.

 

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful or potentially harmful chemicals resulting from combustion. In the case of IQOS, no combustion means no smoke, no tar¹, no ash and less lingering smell than cigarettes.

 

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

 

¹ “Tar” is the residue from cigarette smoke after a cigarette is burned. Since IQOS does not burn tobacco, it does not produce tar. Its aerosol residue is fundamentally different from cigarette “tar”. The absence of tar does not mean that IQOS is risk-free.

 

Which smoke free alternative is for me: e-cigarettes/vapes or heated tobacco devices?

 

When it comes to heated tobacco vs vape/e-cigarette, the smoke-free alternative that is better for you will depend on your preferences, as well as your desire to leave cigarettes behind and switch to an alternative.

 

Smoke-free alternatives are not equivalent to quitting tobacco and nicotine use altogether, so they are not cessation aids. Since these products still contain nicotine, they are addictive. If you are a smoker and have concerns around health, then 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 a better choice than continuing to smoke cigarettes.

 

The technologies used in e-cigarettes/vapes and heated tobacco products are ultimately different, making the end experience for the adult user different as well. E-cigarettes and vapes can be an option for adult smokers who are looking for a completely new experience and advanced customization possibilities, while heated tobacco devices may allow for a tobacco experience that can seem familiar to adult smokers, all while being technologically advanced.

 

At the end of the day, thanks to rapid advances in science and technology, better alternatives now exist for those adults who would otherwise continue to smoke. Smoke-free products, including e-cigarettes/vapes and heated tobacco products, can be a better choice than cigarettes.

 

Learn the differences between heated tobacco and vapes/e-cigarettes.

 

If you’re ready to leave cigarettes behind and take a step towards a smoke-free product and try a new taste experience, we recommend researching alternatives to smoking further to determine which suits you best. Learn more about IQOS heated tobacco products.

 

Discover IQOS heated tobacco devices.

 

(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:

• IQOS Heated Tobacco Products Vs. E-Cigarettes/Vapes - What is the difference?
• What are the Airport Smoking Lounge Rules?
• Exploring Smoke Free Alternatives