Heat-not-burn (HNB) tobacco products are electronic devices that deliver nicotine by heating, rather than burning, specially prepared tobacco. These devices warm tobacco to a temperature sufficient to release a nicotine-containing aerosol, avoiding the combustion process associated with traditional cigarettes. This method alters the chemical composition of the emissions.
How Heat-Not-Burn Devices Work
Heat-not-burn devices use an electronic heating system with a consumable tobacco stick. Components include an electronic holder (with battery and circuitry) and a heating element (like a ceramic blade or pin) that contacts the tobacco. When a user inserts a tobacco stick and activates the device, the heating element warms the tobacco to a controlled temperature, usually ranging between 200°C and 350°C (392°F to 662°F).
This temperature range is significantly lower than the approximately 900°C (1652°F) reached by the lit end of a traditional cigarette. The controlled heating prevents combustion, so it produces no fire, ash, or smoke. Instead, the process generates an aerosol that the user inhales, which contains nicotine and flavorings released from the heated tobacco. Advanced systems, such as SMARTCORE INDUCTION technology, maintain consistent heat distribution to maximize aerosol production while preventing hot spots that could lead to unwanted combustion.
Distinctions from Traditional Cigarettes and Vapes
Heated tobacco products differ from both traditional cigarettes and modern vaping devices through distinct operational mechanisms and core substances.
Versus Traditional Cigarettes
The primary distinction between heat-not-burn products and traditional cigarettes lies in the absence of combustion. Traditional cigarettes burn tobacco, a process that produces smoke, ash, and tar, along with thousands of chemicals. In contrast, HNB devices heat tobacco without ignition, producing no smoke or ash. This heating process significantly reduces the formation of many harmful and potentially harmful chemicals typically found in cigarette smoke, with some studies suggesting a 90-95% reduction in toxicants compared to conventional cigarettes.
Versus Vapes/E-Cigarettes
A fundamental difference between heat-not-burn devices and vapes, or e-cigarettes, is the type of material they heat. Heat-not-burn devices use processed tobacco leaf, formed into small sticks. The nicotine present in the aerosol from these devices is naturally derived from the tobacco itself. Conversely, vapes heat a liquid solution, known as e-liquid or vape juice, which typically contains nicotine (either tobacco-derived or synthetic), propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavorings, but no actual tobacco leaf.
Health Profile of Heated Tobacco Products
The health profile of heated tobacco products is a subject of ongoing scientific inquiry, with current understanding suggesting a different risk landscape compared to traditional cigarettes. Due to the absence of combustion, HNB products produce an aerosol with substantially lower levels of most harmful and potentially harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. This reduced chemical exposure is highlighted in scientific evaluations of these products.
However, these products are not without risk. The aerosol generated by HNB devices still contains nicotine, which is highly addictive. While levels are reduced, some toxic substances remain present in the emissions, and new chemicals not found in traditional cigarette smoke have been identified. Research indicates that while switching from cigarettes to HTPs may lead to improvements in certain biomarkers of exposure and disease risk, these products can still contribute to oxidative stress and potentially increase susceptibility to respiratory tract infections. They are intended for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke, rather than for non-smokers or those seeking to quit tobacco use entirely.
Regulation and Market Presence
In the United States, heat-not-burn tobacco products are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA oversees these products through a comprehensive review process, including premarket tobacco product applications and modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) applications. A notable example is the IQOS system, which received MRTP authorization from the FDA on July 7, 2020.
This designation allows the manufacturer to market the product with claims that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to IQOS significantly reduces the body’s exposure to certain harmful or potentially harmful chemicals. This authorization does not signify FDA approval of the product as safe or endorsed by the agency. Globally, major heat-not-burn brands include IQOS by Philip Morris International, Glo by British American Tobacco, and Ploom by Japan Tobacco International.