Heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes (also known as vapes, and e-vapor products) are two smoke-free alternatives which—when scientifically substantiated and regulated—share one crucial purpose. They can provide a better alternative to cigarettes for adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking.
But there are differences between heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes, and adult smokers should know about them. Here they are, along with some similarities:
Do heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes use real tobacco?
Heated tobacco devices heat real tobacco within a specific temperature range, using an electronic heat-control system to prevent it from burning. By contrast, e-cigarettes vaporize an e-liquid solution containing nicotine and flavors when a user draws on it.
Do heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes contain nicotine?
Heated tobacco products and most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, although some liquids for e-cigarettes are nicotine-free. Nicotine is addictive and is not risk-free.
The difference between e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products
Title: What’s the difference between an e-cigarette and a heat-not-burn product?
E-cigarettes vaporize a flavored liquid solution.
The solution is aerosolized and the generated aerosol-commonly referred to as ‘vapor’ – is inhaled.
E-cigarettes liquids usually contain nicotine, but they do not contain tobacco.
Heat-not-burn products always use tobacco.
They heat the tobacco without igniting it to release the flavor and the nicotine
Neither devices burn tobacco,
So they should release significantly lower levels of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals compared to a traditional cigarette.
*This is subject to scientific substantiation on a product by product basis.
As a result they are a much better choice for adult smokers than continued smoking.
The best choice any smoker can make is to quit cigarettes and nicotine use altogether.
Smoke-free alternatives are only for adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking.
They are not risk-free and contain nicotine, which is addictive.
Is nicotine added to heated tobacco products or e-cigarettes?
In heated tobacco products, nicotine is naturally present in the tobacco used in the product.
By contrast, in e-cigarettes, nicotine derived from tobacco is added to the e-liquid used in the product.
Are heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes smoke-free?
Because there is no burning involved, neither heated tobacco nor e-cigarettes produce ash or smoke. Instead, they use heating systems to generate an aerosol inhaled by users.
Read more on the science
We’re clear that the best choice an adult smoker can make is to quit cigarettes and nicotine completely.
Although smoke-free alternatives are not risk-free, it is known that the majority of harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke comes from burning tobacco. This smoke contains dozens of harmful and potentially harmful constituents. Remove the burning and you can significantly reduce the levels of many of these chemicals.
Since 2008, PMI has invested more than USD 10.5 billion in the research, development, scientific substantiation, and manufacturing capacity of our range of smoke-free alternatives. *
They provide adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking with a better alternative to cigarettes through our scientifically-substantiated products.
None of our smoke-free products are marketed at youth, non-smokers or former smokers.
We’re clear in our message: If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you smoke, quit. If you don’t quit, change.
