Nov 17, 2023

What Is Tar?

 

Tar is a dry, water-free, nicotine-free smoke condensate. In other words, it’s the total weight of solid and liquid residue in cigarette smoke after the weight of nicotine and water has been subtracted.

 

Do Low Tar Cigarettes Exist?

 

Cigarettes with different tar levels exist, however there is a public health and scientific consensus that tar level is not an accurate indicator of risk or harm. In addition, low tar cigarettes still rely on combustion. Burning is arguably the most problematic factor in smoking because many of a cigarette’s most harmful chemicals are produced during this process.

 

Do IQOS Heated Tobacco Devices Produce Tar?

 

IQOS tobacco heating devices are alternatives to smoking. Tar is the residue from smoke after a cigarette is burned. IQOS does not produce tar because it heats tobacco instead of burning it. It generates an aerosol residue that is fundamentally different from tar and consists of significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals.* Switching completely to IQOS is less harmful than continuing to smoke.**

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The absence of tar does not mean IQOS is risk free. IQOS provides nicotine, which is addictive.

 

*Reductions in levels of the 9 harmful chemicals the World Health Organization recommends to reduce in cigarette smoke, which do not include nicotine.

 

**Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke.

 

See Important Information.

 

 IQOS are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.