iqos and tar

Jun 28, 2021

Why does no tar form when using IQOS?

Tar. Many may only know the word from roadworks. But smokers should be acquainted with it and aware of its effects.

 

Tar – what is it?

Tar is the defined as all residues of cigarette smoke without water and nicotine. It develops when tobacco is burnt in conventional cigarettes. This process happens at temperatures up to 800°C and releases over 6000 chemicals, of which 100 are proven to be harmful.

 

Aerosol instead of tar

Your IQOS – other than cigarettes – uses the Heat-not-Burn Technology and only heats tobacco, instead of burning it. This does not release smoke, but an aerosol, which has a 95% reduced concentration of harmful substances compared to the smoke of regular cigarettes*. When using IQOS, no tar forms, but instead an aerosol residue. This, as well as the general functionality of your IQOS, can be observed clearly in experiments conducted with our Science Machine.

 

Conclusion

Tar is a mixture of harmful chemicals which forms through the combustion of tobacco. However, this cannot be observed when using your IQOS, a tobacco heater.

 

*”95% less” represents the average reductions in levels of a range of harmful chemicals (excluding nicotine) compared to the smoke of a reference cigarette (3R4F). It does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS is not risk-free. The tobacco used in this process contains nicotine, which is addictive. ​