FDA

10/1/2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has authorized the marketing of our tobacco heating system – IQOS ORIGINALS as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP).
 

What is a modified risk tobacco product? 

MRTP stands for Modified Risk Tobacco Product. On July 7, 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized IQOS ORIGINALS, to be marketed in the US with reduced exposure information.  The US FDA orders came after several years of reviews of the scientific evidence provided by the applicant.  

The FDA has authorized Philip Morris to market the product with information stating that the IQOS system heats tobacco but does not burn it, which significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals. Scientific studies have shown that completely switching from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system significantly reduces the body's exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals. 

However, even with this MRTP authorization, the IQOS products are not safe nor "FDA approved." 

After reviewing the available scientific evidence, the FDA determined that Philip Morris Products SA demonstrated that the IQOS system significantly reduces the production and exposure to harmful chemicals compared to regular cigarettes. 

While the long-term health impacts of IQOS are not yet fully known, the MRTP authorization reflects the FDA's assessment that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system can reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. Current smokers who are interested in IQOS should be aware that the product is not risk-free. The best option for reducing risk is still to quit tobacco use altogether.