Smoke vs Vapor | PMI - Philip Morris International

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We all know smoke is produced when something is burned—like the tobacco in a cigarette, for example.

But cigarette smoke and smoke-free product vapor are fundamentally different.

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The Difference Between Cigarette Smoke & Smoke-Free Product Vapor

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Cigarette smoke is produced when tobacco is burned.	Smoke-free product vapor is produced by smoke-free products—such as e-cigarettes, or heated tobacco products—using inhalation technology to provide adults users with nicotine, taste, and sensory experience.

Cigarette smoke
contains solid particles.
Smoke-free product vapor
is not smoke because there is no burning involved, and it does not contain solid particles.


Cigarette smoke has high level of harmful chemicals, which are the main cause of smoking-related diseases.	Smoke-free product vapor should contain much lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarette smoke.

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Smoke-1_60x60

Cigarette smoke
is produced when tobacco is burned.

Smoke-free product vapor
is produced by smoke-free products—such as e-cigarettes, or heated tobacco products—using inhalation technology to provide adults users with nicotine, taste, and sensory experience.

Cigarette smoke
contains solid particles.

Smoke-free product vapor
is not smoke because there is no burning involved, and it does not contain solid particles.

Smoke-3_60x60

Cigarette smoke
has high level of harmful chemicals, which are the main cause of smoking-related diseases.

Smoke-free product vapor
should contain much lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarette smoke.

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DOES THIS MATTER?

Yes, because by recognizing the fundamental difference between cigarette smoke and smoke-free product vapor, we can move one step closer to a future without cigarettes.

Tobacco Harm Reduction

It’s widely accepted that science, technology, and regulation have enabled society to reduce the adverse effects of continuing potentially harmful behavior.
Smoke-free alternatives have a critical role to play

Smoke-free alternatives were developed to provide the hundreds of millions of adults who don’t quit with a better alternative to continued smoking.
Nicotine: The facts and the misconceptions

Nicotine is a chemical that occurs naturally in tobacco. It is addictive and not risk-free. However, contrary to the beliefs of some, nicotine is not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases.
The burning problem

We’ve found other ways to enjoy tobacco—without burning it. Since burning tobacco creates so many harmful chemicals, we asked our scientists and engineers to find other satisfying ways to deliver flavor and nicotine for current smokers.