What's in a Cigarette
Ever wondered how cigarettes are made, and what goes into them? As an adult smoker, it might come as no surprise to know that cigarettes contain - and produce - harmful substances. The word “produce” deserves special emphasis, as many of the problematic substances in cigarettes are not necessarily the ingredients. Rather, they are substances produced through burning - or combustion.
The Ingredients of a Cigarette
Identifying the ingredients of a cigarette isn’t too difficult - there are a few key ones that make up a cigarette, depending on the brand. What makes identifying factors in a cigarette challenging, is the thousands of chemicals produced by a burning cigarette. Before we review this factor, let’s first examine what one might consider the “main ingredient of a cigarette”, which is, of course, the tobacco leaf.
The tobacco leaf contains, and releases, nicotine when a cigarette is burnt. It is important to note that nicotine is addictive. However, contrary to popular belief, nicotine is not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases. Other non-tobacco materials such as paper can also be found in a cigarette. So, now you know what some of the cigarette ingredients are, it can be useful to understand there is more to cigarettes than just what goes into them.
What Does a Burning Cigarette Produce?
During combustion, a burning cigarette releases thousands of chemicals which can be harmful, such as carbon monoxide. These chemicals are released when an adult smoker has a cigarette, and it can have significant implications.
Are There Alternatives to Smoking Cigarettes?
If you are an adult smoker who’s looking to switch to a smoke-free alternative, you might not know just how many options there are available to you.
E-cigarettes utilise an e-liquid that, when heated, produces vapour instead of smoke.
E-cigarettes are not the only option. Some tobacco heating systems utilise heating technology instead of relying on combustion (like burning cigarettes do). However, the lack of combustion should be substantiated on a product-by-product basis. Incorporating heated tobacco sticks, IQOS provides real tobacco taste and satisfaction, but without tar. Cigarettes produce tar – IQOS doesn’t. Tar is the residue from smoke after a cigarette is burned.
IQOS does not produce tar because it heats tobacco instead of burning it. IQOS 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 that IQOS is risk free. IQOS provides nicotine which is addictive.
* Reductions in the levels of 9 harmful chemicals the World Health Organisation 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 on www.IQOS.com
The best decision any smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. IQOS devices are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.
The IQOS Range of Products
Switching completely to IQOS presents less risk to your health than continuing to smoke*. Furthermore, IQOS provides cigarette-like satisfaction**. IQOS is not risk free and provides nicotine which is addictive. Visit your nearest IQOS kiosk for more information. HEETS are tobacco sticks that work with an IQOS device. HEETS are available nationwide from retailers and petrol stations.
* Based on the totality of evidence available for IQOS in comparison with continuing to smoke. See Important Information on www.IQOS.com.
** 3 month clinical studies conducted in US and Japan with 160 adult smokers each under real conditions (ambulatory).
The IQOS ILUMA device is the latest in heated tobacco innovation. IQOS ILUMA is easy to use and enjoy. With simpler insertion and removal of TEREA sticks compared to previous generations of IQOS. In addition, IQOS ILUMA provides real tobacco taste and satisfaction. IQOS ILUMA is designed to be used exclusively with TEREA sticks and it's only by using both together that you will fully take advantage of all the benefits.
Note: IQOS ILUMA is currently not available in South Africa.
