Heated tobacco products, sometimes called “heat-not-burn” products, are tobacco products that heat processed tobacco leaf without lighting it on fire. Users inhale nicotine into their lungs through heated air like they would through a cigarette.

How do Heated Tobacco Products Work?

Heated tobacco products come in many forms, but they all contain an electric heating element and a way to insert processed tobacco leaf. The tobacco leaf can be part of “heat sticks,” plugs or liquid capsules. This may sound like e-cigarettes or vapes, but e-cigarette liquids do not contain leaf tobacco.

Are Heated Tobacco Products Available in the U.S.?

While there are many types of heated tobacco products available in Asia and Europe, IQOS by PMI (the maker of Marlboro cigarettes) is the only heated tobacco product authorized for sale in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved IQOS for sale in 2019. When it was first approved for sale, IQOS was only available at boutique stores in four states. PMI has announced it plans to make IQOS available in more U.S. locations throughout 2024 and 2025.

Are Heated Tobacco Products Safer Than Cigarettes?

The emissions from heated tobacco products contain fewer harmful chemicals and substances than smoke from cigarettes. The FDA allows IQOS to claim that switching completely from cigarettes to IQOS can help people who smoke to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals. It is not clear if using IQOS or other heated tobacco products can help people quit smoking.

More research is needed to understand how heated tobacco products affect your health in the short and long term. Heated tobacco produces nicotine, the same addictive chemical found in cigarettes, which is particularly harmful to young people and pregnant women. If you don’t smoke, you should not use heated tobacco.

If you’re ready to quit smoking, you should consider quitting tobacco completely, rather than switching to a heated tobacco product. Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health, and there are a lot of resources available to help you live a tobacco-free life. If you’re looking to quit smoking, you can start by speaking with your healthcare provider or by checking out the tools and resources here.