7-Aug-2025

All About Switching to Heated Tobacco Products

A positive step any adult user can take is to reduce tobacco and nicotine consumption. However, some adult users may not feel ready to stop smoking, and they wonder, “How to Stop Smoking?”. For those individuals exploring smoke-free alternatives, such as heated tobacco products, this article may be helpful.

Why Are Cigarettes So Harmful?

While many adult users believe nicotine found within conventional cigarettes poses the biggest risk, the truth is that cigarette smoke—produced through combustion—is the main contributor to its harmful effects. Decades of scientific research show that the primary cause of smoking-related disease is the high levels of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHCs) formed during the combustion of tobacco. These HPHCs are a result of elevated chemical levels released when tobacco is burned. 

During the burning of conventional cigarettes, the temperature increases to more than 800 °C at the tip. The combustion of tobacco results in the formation of smoke that contains high levels of HPHCs. The absence of combustion in heated tobacco products may contribute to chemical reductions compared to cigarette smoke. 

Learn about heated tobacco versus cigarettes for more insight into the differences. 

Understanding Cigarette Combustion and Its By-Products

Cigarette combustion is a high-temperature process that occurs at the tip of a burning cigarette, reaching over 800 °C. This combustion process releases smoke containing a complex mixture of constituents. Many of the sensory and by-product effects associated with smoking stem from this process, including ash, smoke smell, and lingering odours. 

In contrast, heated tobacco products like IQOS warm the tobacco to a much lower temperature—without combustion—generating a tobacco-containing aerosol instead of smoke. 

Read our history of heated tobacco to learn more about its evolution. 

Nicotine Products as Alternatives to Smoking Cigarettes

If you wonder “How to Stop Smoking?” then there are multiple approaches to smoking cessation. Some adult users may choose nicotine products such as: 

• Nicotine patches – worn on the skin and release nicotine slowly over time. These are often used as part of a long-term quit plan. 

• Nicotine gum – used to manage sudden cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms. 

• Nicotine pouches – a smoke-free form of nicotine delivery that fits discreetly under the lip. 

• Behavioural support – including counselling or digital tools to provide guidance and motivation. 

Choosing nicotine products that align with your needs may ease the transition. These tools help deliver nicotine often in the form of a nicotine-containing aerosol or nicotine aerosol depending on the product. 

Check out tips on smoking alternatives that may complement your experience. 

Tips to Keep in Mind

When going through smoking cessation, it's important to stay committed and patient with yourself. Here are some tips to help you: 

1. Set Clear Goals – Establish a quit date and stick to it. Track your progress and celebrate milestones, no matter how small. 

1. Seek Support – Whether through family, friends, or a support group, having someone to talk to can increase your chances of success in smoking cessation. 

1. Stay Active – Physical activity can help reduce cravings during smoking cessation. Try walking, jogging, or yoga to keep your mind and body occupied. 

1. Avoid Triggers – Identify situations or habits that make you want to smoke and avoid them, such as sitting in places with second-hand exposure to cigarette smoke. 

For those who are still going through smoking cessation, it’s important to understand that mainstream aerosol produced by heated tobacco products differs from traditional cigarette smoke. These products deliver aerosol smoke without combustion, which could be a smoother path for adult users who are not yet ready to quit nicotine entirely but want to reduce exposure. 

What to Expect if You’re Thinking About Quitting Smoking

Every adult user’s journey to quit smoking is unique. For some, the process begins with setting a clear quit smoking timeline that includes milestones, tools, and support. 

Some adult users start by reducing the number of cigarettes they consume per day, followed by a complete transition to smoke-free products or cessation tools. 

Over the first week, users may focus on avoiding key triggers and building new routines. In the following weeks, the goal is to solidify smoke-free habits and stay committed to the plan. 

Explore what happens when you switch to smoke-free alternatives for a helpful guide. 

What Is Heated Tobacco and How Is It Different?

Heated tobacco products, also known as heat-not-burn tobacco, are designed to heat tobacco without setting it on fire. By using a heated tobacco device, these products warm specially designed heated tobacco sticks at lower temperatures than conventional cigarettes.

Instead of producing smoke, they generate a nicotine-containing tobacco aerosol that delivers the flavour of real tobacco. This method avoids combustion and the formation of ash, resulting in fewer lingering smoke smells. 

Heated tobacco sticks come in a variety of tobacco flavors to suit personal preferences. Some adult users find the act of heating tobacco to be closer to the experience of smoking, while others value the modern technology and design of heated tobacco devices. 

Some heated tobacco products use engineered tobacco sheets designed to evenly release flavour and nicotine when heated. Others incorporate toasty tobacco fusions that deliver a distinctive aromatic profile. 

Although not classified as smokeless tobacco, heat-not-burn tobacco products offer an alternative experience through tobacco aerosol delivery instead of smoke. 

Heated Tobacco Products and Smoke-Free Alternatives

IQOS offers a range of smoke-free alternatives in Egypt, each designed to deliver a real tobacco experience without combustion. These products appeal to adult users who are exploring alternatives to continued smoking. 

Here’s a closer look at the heated tobacco products available from IQOS: 

• IQOS ILUMA – This device features bladeless heating technology and incorporates the SMARTCORE INDUCTION SYSTEM™, delivering a seamless tobacco experience. It uses TEREA sticks that are specially designed to work with the IQOS ILUMA series. 

• IQOS ILUMA ONE – A compact and all-in-one version of the IQOS ILUMA system. It’s pocket-sized, making it ideal for on-the-go use, while still providing consistent tobacco flavour. 

• IQOS ILUMA PRIME – The premium version in the IQOS ILUMA family, designed with advanced materials and a sleek, refined design. 

• IQOS 3 DUO – Powered by HEATCONTROL™ TECHNOLOGY, this electronic device delivers consistent tobacco flavour by precisely controlling the temperature. It uses specially designed IQOS HEETS tobacco sticks and offers a familiar experience for those who prefer a more traditional format. 

All of these heated tobacco products use no combustion, no ash, and no smoke. 

These heated tobacco devices are intended for use with specially designed tobacco sticks, delivering a consistent experience through heat-not-burn tobacco technology. 

Learn how HEETS tobacco sticks compare to vape liquids. 

IQOS vs Cigarettes: What Adult Users May Notice After Switching

The transition from cigarettes to a product like IQOS can lead to differences in taste, routine, and how the environment around you is affected. Because IQOS heats instead of burns, many adult users report: 

• Better control over flavour 

• Less odour on clothes and hands 

• A more modern, discreet experience 

Learn how IQOS compares to traditional e-cigarettes. 

Final Thoughts

If you're considering alternatives to continued smoking, take time to explore your options. Whether you’re thinking about quitting or switching to a smoke-free product, understanding the differences is key. 

For adult users evaluating their options, a heated tobacco product may be a suitable choice—especially for those not ready to stop entirely. While not designed as smoking cessation tools, each heated tobacco product delivers a tobacco experience without burning. These products may offer a different approach for adult users seeking a smoke-free alternative. 

Check IQOS ILUMA I for a compact IQOS device designed with convenience. 

IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive. Only for use by adults.