What is Heated Tobacco?

How do Heat-Not-Burn devices work?

Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco devices work by heating tobacco to a temperature of around 350°C. This temperature is high enough to release the nicotine and flavours in the tobacco, but not high enough to cause combustion or create smoke. When the tobacco is heated, it releases an aerosol that is then inhaled by the user.

Most Heat-Not-Burn products use a specially designed tobacco stick that is inserted into a battery-powered device. The device heats the tobacco to the correct temperature and then releases the aerosol for the user to inhale. Depending on the heat-not-burn device used, the process typically takes 3-6 minutes.

Benefits of Heat-Not-Burn products

When tobacco is burned, it creates smoke that contains thousands of harmful chemicals, many of which are known carcinogens. The emissions produced by heated tobacco products typically contain lower levels of harmful ingredients than regular cigarette smoke.

Heat-Not-Burn products also produce less odor than traditional cigarettes. As these devices do not create smoke, they don't produce the same strong, lingering smell that is typically associated with smoking. This makes them a more discreet option for those who want to smoke without drawing attention to themselves.

In addition, while the initial cost of the heat-not-burn device is around £30, using these products over time will be far less expensive than smoking traditional cigarettes, with a pack of tobacco sticks costing less than half the average price of a pack of cigarettes*.

*Assumes average price of cigarettes at £11.94 per pack. Source: ONS dataset. Average price - Cigarettes 20 king size filter, 2021.

Are Heat-Not-Burn products a good alternative to traditional smoking?

Heat-Not-Burn products may be a good option for those looking for a less harmful way to consume tobacco or who are attempting to quit smoking entirely. However, we do not recommend Heat-Not-Burn products to anyone who was not previously a smoker.

While they are not completely risk-free, they may be a viable option for those seeking to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals without quitting smoking entirely. As with any tobacco product, it's essential that you use Heated tobacco products responsibly and in moderation to reduce the risk of long-term health problems.

Is Heated Tobacco the same as vaping?

Although heated tobacco products and vapes are both electronic devices, they are not the same thing. Heated tobacco products function by heating tobacco to a high temperature without burning it, whereas vaping products use an electronic device to heat a liquid (vape juice) and produce a vapour, which the user then inhales.

Heated tobacco products use real tobacco, while the liquid used in vaping products is made up of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavourings, and nicotine (although some e-liquids are nicotine-free).