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If you’re a smoker looking for alternatives to traditional cigarettes, you’ve probably come across the term IQOS. It’s often mentioned alongside vaping, but it isn’t the same thing. Many adult smokers are curious about IQOS because it promises a different way of consuming tobacco without burning it. Many people assume IQOS is just another type of vape, while others think it is the same as smoking but without the smoke. In reality, IQOS sits somewhere in between and works in a very different way.IQOS is designed for adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking. Instead of burning tobacco like a cigarette, IQOS heats real tobacco using a controlled heating system. This process releases nicotine and tobacco flavour without combustion, meaning there is no fire, no smoke, and no ash. For smokers who enjoy the taste of tobacco but want to avoid the smoke and strong smell that comes with cigarettes, this difference is often the main appeal.

What makes IQOS stand out is that it uses actual tobacco rather than liquid. The tobacco is specially prepared into small sticks that are inserted into the device for each session. When heated, these sticks produce an aerosol that the user inhales, delivering nicotine in a way that feels familiar to smokers. Because the tobacco is heated at a lower temperature than a burning cigarette, the experience is generally smoother and less harsh on the throat.

What Is IQOS?

IQOS is a heat-not-burn tobacco device designed for adult smokers. Instead of burning tobacco like a cigarette, IQOS heats specially designed tobacco sticks to a controlled temperature. This process creates an aerosol containing nicotine and tobacco flavour, but without combustion.

Because the tobacco is heated rather than burned, IQOS produces no smoke, no ash, and less lingering smell compared to cigarettes.

IQOS is developed by Philip Morris International and is intended for adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking.

How Is IQOS Different from Cigarettes?

To understand IQOS, it helps to first understand what makes smoking harmful.

Cigarettes

• Burn tobacco at very high temperatures

• Produce smoke

• Create ash and strong odour

• Release tar and many harmful chemicals

IQOS

• Heats tobacco without burning it

• Produces an aerosol, not smoke

• No ash

• Less lingering smell

The key difference lies in combustion. Burning tobacco generates most of the harmful by-products associated with smoking. IQOS avoids combustion by heating tobacco to a lower temperature.

How Does IQOS Work?

IQOS works using a controlled heating system designed to warm the tobacco rather than burn it.

Step-by-Step: How IQOS Works

1. A tobacco stick (often called a heat stick) is inserted into the device

2. The device heats the tobacco to a set temperature

3. Nicotine and flavour are released as an aerosol

4. The user inhales the aerosol, similar to smoking

5. The device automatically stops after a session

There is no flame, no lighter, and no smoke involved.

What Are IQOS Tobacco Sticks?

IQOS uses specially designed tobacco sticks, not regular cigarettes. These sticks are processed tobacco made specifically for heating.

Key characteristics:

• Real tobacco, not liquid

• Single-use per session

• No burning or ash

• Designed for consistent flavour delivery

Because they contain tobacco, they provide a taste and nicotine experience closer to cigarettes than vaping for some smokers.

Does IQOS Contain Nicotine?

Yes. IQOS delivers nicotine, as it uses real tobacco. The nicotine delivery is generally comparable to cigarettes, though the experience may feel smoother.

Important points:

• Nicotine is addictive

• IQOS is intended for adult smokers

• Non-smokers should not use IQOS

Nicotine satisfaction is one reason some smokers prefer IQOS over vaping.

What Does Using IQOS Feel Like?

The experience of using IQOS is often described as closer to smoking than vaping, but with noticeable differences.

Common sensations:

• No burning sensation

• Smoother inhale

• Less harsh throat hit

• Subtle tobacco taste

• No smoke smell on clothes

Because there’s no combustion, the experience can feel cleaner and more controlled.

IQOS vs Smoking vs Vaping

Many people confuse IQOS with vaping, but they are fundamentally different.

IQOS vs Smoking

• Smoking burns tobacco; IQOS heats it

• Smoking produces smoke; IQOS produces aerosol

• Smoking creates ash; IQOS does not

• Smoking has a strong odour; IQOS smell fades quickly

IQOS vs Vaping

• IQOS uses real tobacco; vaping uses e-liquid

• IQOS delivers tobacco flavour; vaping offers many flavours

• Vaping allows adjustable nicotine; IQOS is fixed per stick

• Vaping devices vary widely; IQOS sessions are standardised

Each option suits different preferences.

Why Do Some Smokers Choose IQOS?

Smokers choose IQOS for different reasons, often based on familiarity and routine.

Common reasons include:

• Desire to keep using real tobacco

• Less smoke and odour

• No ash or cigarette butts

• Controlled session length

• Familiar hand-to-mouth ritual

For some smokers, IQOS feels like a natural step away from cigarettes without switching to liquid-based products.

Is IQOS Safer Than Smoking?

IQOS is not risk-free, but it is designed to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.

Key points to understand:

• No burning means fewer harmful by-products

• Still contains nicotine

• Intended only for adult smokers

• Not recommended for non-smokers

Public health guidance often states that switching completely away from cigarettes can reduce exposure to harmful substances, but complete cessation of tobacco and nicotine remains the safest option.

Does IQOS Smell Like Cigarettes?

IQOS has a much lighter smell than cigarettes.

What users often notice:

• Smell does not linger

• No smoke odour on clothes

• No ashtray smell

• Discreet compared to smoking

This is one of the most appreciated benefits for people who smoke indoors or around others.

How Long Does an IQOS Session Last?

An IQOS session typically lasts:

• Around 6 minutes or

• Approximately 14 puffs

The device automatically stops at the end of the session, helping users manage consumption.

Is IQOS Easy to Use?

IQOS is designed to be straightforward, even for beginners.

Basic maintenance includes:

• Charging the device

• Cleaning according to instructions

• Replacing tobacco sticks after each use

There are no settings, wattage controls, or liquid refills, making it simpler than many vape devices.

Who Should Consider IQOS?

IQOS may suit:

• Adult smokers who want to stop burning cigarettes

• Smokers who prefer tobacco taste

• People who dislike smoke and ash

• Those looking for a structured alternative

It may not suit:

• Non-smokers

• People who prefer flavoured vaping

• Those looking to avoid tobacco completely

Common Misunderstandings About IQOS

IQOS Is the Same as Vaping”

No. IQOS heats tobacco; vaping heats liquid.

IQOS Is Smoke-Free

IQOS produces aerosol, not smoke, but it still contains nicotine.

“IQOS Helps You Quit”

IQOS is designed as an alternative for smokers, not a quitting device.

Transitioning from Cigarettes to IQOS

Some smokers switch immediately, while others take time.

Helpful tips:

• Use IQOS instead of cigarettes consistently

• Avoid mixing smoking and IQOS long-term

• Allow time for taste adjustment

• Keep the device charged and clean

Cost Comparison: IQOS vs Smoking

Costs vary, but many users find IQOS:

• Comparable or slightly cheaper than smoking

• More predictable in daily use

• Less wasteful (no lighters, no ash)

Final Thoughts: Is IQOS Right for You?

IQOS offers a different way for adult smokers to consume tobacco without burning it. It sits somewhere between smoking and vaping, combining real tobacco with modern heating technology.

If you’re a smoker who enjoys tobacco flavour but wants less smoke, smell, and mess, IQOS may be worth exploring. The most important thing is choosing an option that helps you stay away from cigarettes.

1. Is IQOS the same as e-cigarettes?

No, IQOS and e-cigarettes are different products. IQOS heats real tobacco sticks to release nicotine and tobacco flavour without burning.E-cigarettes, on the other hand, heat a liquid (e-liquid) that may contain nicotine and flavourings. Because of this, the taste, experience, and technology are quite different.

2. Does IQOS produce smoke?

No, IQOS does not produce smoke because there is no burning involved. Instead, it creates an aerosol by heating tobacco to a controlled temperature.his aerosol contains nicotine and tobacco flavour but does not include ash or cigarette smoke. As a result, the smell is much lighter and fades more quickly.

3. Can non-smokers use IQOS?

IQOS is designed specifically for adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking cigarettes. It contains nicotine, which is addictive, and is not intended for people who do not already smoke.
Non-smokers and former smokers are advised not to use IQOS or similar products.

4. Is IQOS safer than smoking?

IQOS avoids burning tobacco, which significantly reduces exposure to many harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. However, it is not risk-free and still delivers nicotine.
The best option for health remains quitting tobacco and nicotine completely, but switching away from cigarettes may reduce harm for adult smokers who do not quit.