What is Heated Tobacco?
Heated tobacco has become an increasingly popular alternative for adult smokers looking for a different way to consume nicotine without the smoke, ash, or strong odour of traditional cigarettes. By heating real tobacco instead of burning it, these devices offer a familiar ritual with a modern twist, creating aerosol rather than smoke. In this guide, we break down how heated tobacco works, how it compares with smoking and vaping, and what to consider if you’re exploring this category for the first time.
Key Takeaways
- Heated tobacco (heat-not-burn) warms tobacco to create aerosol—not smoke—avoiding combustion and reducing the harmful chemicals associated with burning.
- Devices operate at much lower temperatures (250°C–350°C) compared to cigarettes (~600°C), producing no ash and minimal odour.
- Heated tobacco offers a tobacco-based alternative to traditional cigarettes and vaping, maintaining familiar rituals while using dedicated sticks like TEREA, HEETS, or EVO.
- Products are not risk-free, and evidence does not currently support heated tobacco as a quit-smoking aid. For public health perspectives, visit government sites such as ASH UK.
What Is Heated Tobacco?
Heated tobacco—also known as heat-not-burn—is a type of nicotine product that warms real tobacco to produce an inhalable aerosol instead of smoke. Unlike cigarettes, heated tobacco devices operate at lower temperatures (around 250°C–350°C), avoiding combustion, ash, and strong odours. These products still contain nicotine and are not risk-free but may produce fewer harmful chemicals than burning tobacco.
How Do Heat-Not-Burn Products Work?
Heated tobacco devices are built to be simple, consistent, and easy to use:
- Insert the stick: Place a compatible tobacco stick—such as TEREA, HEETS, EVO, or other brand-specific options—into the device.
- Activate: The device heats the tobacco to the controlled temperature needed to release nicotine-infused aerosol.
- Inhale: Enjoy the flavour and sensation of tobacco without smoke, ash, or lingering odour.
- Dispose: After the session, remove and properly discard the used stick.
Because these products heat tobacco rather than burn it, they are classified as heat-not-burn products, producing aerosol instead of smoke.
Heated Tobacco vs Traditional Cigarettes
The defining difference between heated tobacco and cigarettes is combustion.
Burning tobacco creates smoke, ash, and high levels of harmful chemicals. Heated tobacco avoids this by heating tobacco at much lower temperatures.
| Aspect | Heated Tobacco | Traditional Cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 250°C - 350°C | 600°C |
| Smoke | No | Yes |
| Harmful Chemicals | Significantly reduced | High levels |
| Nicotine Delivery | Aerosol | Smoke |
| Tar | None | Present |
| Ash | None | Yes |
| Odour | Minimal | Strong, lingering |
Heated Tobacco vs Vaping
Heated tobacco and vaping both offer smoke-free ways to consume nicotine, but they work differently:
- Heated tobacco:
- Uses real tobacco
- Produces aerosol by heating—not burning—tobacco
- Retains a more familiar tobacco flavour and ritual
- Vaping:
- Uses e-liquid containing nicotine and flavourings
- Creates vapour through heating a liquid coil
- Offers wide flavour variety and adjustable nicotine levels
Your preference may depend on whether you want a tobacco-based experience or a more customisable vaping experience.
How to Get Started with Heated Tobacco
Getting started is straightforward:
- Choose a device: Options vary from precise, tech-forward devices to simple, compact designs.
- Pick compatible sticks: Each device works only with its specific tobacco sticks.
- Charge and use: Most devices allow multiple sessions per charge.
- Enjoy a controlled experience: No smoke, less odour, and a familiar tobacco ritual.
Choosing the Right Heated Tobacco Brand
Different brands offer different designs, heating technologies, and flavour profiles:
- IQOS: Known for precise heating and a consistent experience.
- Ploom: Praised for its sleek design and modern engineering.
- Other options: Various emerging devices use capsule-based or stick-based formats.
Each brand has its own ecosystem of compatible sticks, so choose based on your preferred style, feel, and flavour.
Tobacco Stick Compatibility
Heated tobacco devices work only with their own dedicated sticks.
You cannot use regular cigarettes in any heated tobacco device.
|
Heated Tobacco Device |
Compatible Sticks / Capsules |
Nicotine Content per Stick* |
|
IQOS Iluma |
TEREA Smartcore Sticks |
~ 0.5 mg |
|
IQOS Original |
HEETS Tobacco Sticks |
~ 0.5 mg |
|
Ploom X Advanced |
EVO Tobacco Sticks |
~ 0.5 mg |
|
SWIC Device |
KETLE Capsules |
~ 0.5 - 0.7 mg |
*Nicotine delivery varies by market and stick type.
Tobacco Stick Flavours
Heated tobacco sticks are available in a wide range of blends—from light and smooth to rich and robust, including menthol and berry-inspired options. Flavour names differ by brand, but typically fall into categories like:
- Tobacco blends (amber, russet, bronze, sienna)
- Menthol varieties (green, turquoise, cobalt)
- Aromatic blends (mauve, purple, ruby)
Choose according to preference, device compatibility, and strength.
Who Should Consider Heated Tobacco?
Heated tobacco can be suitable for adult smokers who:
- Want to switch to a non-combustion nicotine product
- Prefer the ritual, feel, and taste of real tobacco
- Want a product with less odour and no ash
These products are not risk-free, but they offer a different option for adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking.
Why Choose Heated Tobacco?
Heated tobacco offers:
- A tobacco-based experience without smoke or ash
- A familiar ritual with modern convenience
- A variety of device types and flavour choices
- Minimal lingering smell
For those seeking an alternative to traditional smoking that still uses real tobacco, heated tobacco provides a balanced solution.
Final Thoughts
Heated tobacco represents a modern evolution in how nicotine can be consumed. By heating tobacco instead of burning it, these products create aerosol—offering the flavour and ritual many smokers enjoy, without the smoke, ash, and many of the by-products of combustion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Heated Tobacco?
Heated tobacco products warm tobacco to create aerosol instead of smoke.
How is Heated Tobacco Different From Traditional Cigarettes?
Cigarettes burn tobacco; heated tobacco devices avoid combustion, reducing ash, smoke, and many harmful chemicals.
Can I Use Regular Cigarettes in a Heated Tobacco Device?
No. Only device-specific sticks are compatible.
Is Heated Tobacco Safer Than Smoking?
Heated tobacco may produce fewer toxicants than combustible cigarettes, but it is not risk-free.
Can Heated Tobacco Products Help Me Quit Smoking?
Current evidence does not confirm that heated tobacco products help users quit smoking.
