Why IQOS heated tobacco is becoming popular among adult smokers

Heating tobacco releases flavors and nicotine and allows adult smokers to experience tobacco without combustion. So it’s no wonder that IQOS heated tobacco, also known as “heat-not-burn,” is becoming a popular smoking alternative among adult smokers, as it incorporates tobacco without smoke, ash or cigarette smoke smell. IQOS is the #1 heated tobacco product* and thousands of adult smokers around the world convert to IQOS every day**.

But the reasons to switch from smoking to IQOS don’t stop here. Besides using real tobacco, IQOS emits, on average, 95% lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes***. Important information: It does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS is not risk-free. 

Important information: This does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS ILUMA is not risk-free.

What’s more, IQOS is less likely to bother people around you, as it produces no second-hand smoke. It also leaves less lingering smell on hands, clothes and hair. All these benefits make IQOS a better alternative to cigarettes and the reason why thousands of adult smokers around the world convert to IQOS every day.**** 

*PMI global estimate of total In-Market Sales of Heated Tobacco Units as of June 2023.

**PMI Financials or estimates, IQOS user panels and PMI Market Research as of June 2023. PMI heat-not-burn product users who have completely quit cigarettes and for whom PMI tobacco sticks represent at least 70% of their past 7-day heated tobacco consumption. 

***“95% less” represents the average reduction in levels of the 9 chemicals recommended for reduction in cigarette smoke by the World Health Organization, which do not include nicotine. See Important Information on IQOS.com 

****PMI Financials or estimates, IQOS user panels and PMI Market Research as of June 2023. PMI heat-not-burn product users who have completely quit cigarettes and for whom PMI tobacco sticks represent at least 70% of their past 7-day heated tobacco consumption.

How is heated tobacco different from other smoking alternatives?

Cigarettes and other ways of taking in nicotine have been around for a long time. However, recent technological developments like heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes mean adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products have alternatives available to them.

Our heat-not-burn device IQOS, popular among adult smokers, heats tobacco instead of burning it. This is the biggest difference between IQOS and cigarettes. By not burning tobacco, our IQOS heated tobacco product doesn’t create smoke and ash.

Similar to heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes don’t create smoke either because they don’t burn tobacco. However, unlike IQOS and HEETS, e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco at all. Instead, they heat an e-liquid containing nicotine and flavors to produce an aerosol.

What heated tobacco flavors are popular among IQOS adult users?

Made to be used with our heat-not-burn device IQOS, popular among adult smokers, HEETS offer a tobacco experience without the smoke, ash and fire that come from smoking cigarettes. So IQOS adult users can focus more on their moment and the taste. 

A modern twist on tobacco classics, HEETS come in a range of flavor experiences from rich to refined, including tobacco with menthol and new aromatic blends to suit every IQOS adult user’s taste palate. HEETS can be chosen based on aroma, body and intensity. A lower intensity indicates round and refined taste sensations, whereas a higher one stands for richer tastes.

Some of the most popular heated tobacco flavors among IQOS legal age users include the HEETS Amber selection, a rounded, toasted tobacco blend layered with lightly scented woody and nutty aroma notes. Another popular heated tobacco flavor choice is the HEETS Yellow selection, a mellow and aromatic tobacco blend coupled with effervescent zesty aroma notes. And for menthol fans, the HEETS Turquoise selection offers crisp menthol cooling coupled with a lightly toasted tobacco blend and enriched by subtle zesty aroma notes.

Explore all our HEETS flavors 

We know that IQOS legal age users love to explore new taste sensations. That’s why we are constantly expanding our variety of HEETS, so that there is a heated tobacco flavor or taste experience for every IQOS legal age user to discover.

Additionally, our Flavor Advisor, which was developed in collaboration with flavors specialists, can help IQOS adult users discover the HEETS flavor that best suits their taste. Available both online and in stores where adult smokers can try IQOS, the Flavor Advisor is a quick and simple tool that helps IQOS adult users discover their personal taste profile based on their taste preferences. The Flavor Advisor will then help identify two HEETS variants that may match the user’s taste profile best.

Find out more about our heat-not-burn IQOS devices popular among adult smokers.