What’s the difference between heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes?
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 heat-not-burn products and e-cigarettes, and adult smokers should know about them. Here they are, along with some similarities:
Contents:
• Do heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes use real tobacco?
• Are heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes smoke-free?
• Do heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes contain nicotine?
• Is nicotine added to heated tobacco products or e-cigarettes?
Do heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes use real tobacco?
Heated tobacco devices, also known as heat-not-burn devices, heat real tobacco within a specific temperature range, using an electronic heat-control system to prevent it from burning.
By contrast, e-cigarettes do not use tobacco leaves. Instead, they vaporize an e-liquid solution containing nicotine and flavors when a user draws on it.
Are heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes smoke-free?
Because there is no burning involved, neither heat-not-burn products nor vapes produce ash or smoke. Instead, they use heating systems to generate an aerosol inhaled by users. So heated tobacco products and vapes can both be called “smoke-free.”
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.
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.
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.
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, either nicotine derived from tobacco or synthetic nicotine* is added to the e-liquid (also known as ‘vape juice’) used in the product.
Want to find out more?
Since 2008, PMI has invested over USD 14 billion in the research, development, scientific substantiation, and commercialization 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.
* PMI’s smoke-free products use nicotine derived from tobacco, not synthetic nicotine.
