Nov 9, 2023
Carbon Monoxide Levels: Cigarettes vs Heated Tobacco
The harmful effects of carbon monoxide can be a significant concern for some adult smokers. The best decision any smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. For those who would otherwise continue to smoke cigarettes or use other nicotine products, smoke-free alternatives might be an option. This article addresses the carbon monoxide levels within both cigarettes and IQOS tobacco heating products.
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide, abbreviated as CO, is an odorless, colorless toxic gas. It is produced in large amounts when some things burn, like fuels, wood, or the tobacco in cigarettes; and it is so famously harmful that many people have alarms to warn of its presence in their homes.
When CO is inhaled, it is absorbed through lungs into a bloodstream and reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to body, affecting brain, heart and muscles.
Carbon Monoxide Levels in Cigarettes vs Heated Tobacco Products
Transitioning from cigarettes to IQOS smoke-free products can reduce carbon monoxide levels in body and reduce the risk of harm from smoking cigarettes. Did you know that smokers are more exposed to carbon monoxide compared to non-smokers? This is because cigarettes produce high amounts of carbon monoxide.
What’s different about tobacco heating? It can be generally assumed that a smoke-free product like heated tobacco must deliver similar carbon monoxide levels compared to cigarettes because they use tobacco. However, this is not the case for the IQOS tobacco heating system. Cigarettes burn tobacco, which produces high amounts of carbon monoxide. IQOS doesn’t burn tobacco, producing on average 98% less carbon monoxide and significantly lower levels of other harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes.*
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This does not mean a 98% reduction in risk, and carbon monoxide is only one of many harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke. IQOS is not risk-free, and contains nicotine which is addictive.
*We measured the levels of the 9 harmful chemicals the World Health Organization recommends to reduce in cigarette smoke, which do not include nicotine, and these are reduced on average by 95%. See Important Information.
It’s important to note that IQOS products aren’t risk-free, and the best choice for smokers concerned about the health risks of smoking is to quit tobacco or nicotine use altogether. However, with the reduction in harmful chemicals, IQOS is a better choice than continued smoking for an adult smoker who would otherwise continue to smoke or use other nicotine products.