Update: The American FDA in January 2018, published a large IQOS harmfulness study, that confirms the Swiss results.
On the health impact of IQOS, we have the whole Harmfulness section where we try to refute myths and approach them sensibly. Clearly, IQOS is not risk-free and all discussions are only about how significant the difference is compared to cigarette smoking.
According to the Swiss study (the original for download here), a significant decrease in pollutants, and especially carcinogenic tar, after the transition to IQOS is apparent here. There is only one substance that is contained in higher quantities, but its harmfulness is not mentioned. When looking at the harmfulness of the ingredients you should consider whether it is better to stop smoking completely.
IQOS vs classic cigarette
| Analyzed substance |
Consequences of inhalation according to Wiki |
IQOS |
Classic cigarette |
By how many percents is IQOS less harmful |
| Basic |
| Nicotine [μg/cigarette] |
addiction |
301 |
361 |
-16% |
| Temperature [°C] |
|
330 |
684 |
N/A |
| The number of puffs |
|
12,6 |
13,3 |
N/A |
| Volatile organic matter, amount of μg per 1 cigarette |
| Acetaldehyde |
natural substance |
133 |
610 |
-78% |
| Acetone |
irritating |
12 |
95,5 |
-87% |
| Acrolein |
|
0,9 |
1,1 |
-18% |
| Benzaldehyde |
N/A |
1,2 |
2,4 |
-50% |
| Crotonaldehyde |
toxic, irritaiting |
0,7 |
17,4 |
-96% |
| Formaldehyde |
irritates the respiratory system |
3,2 |
4,3 |
-26% |
| Isovaleralddehyde |
commonly in food |
3,5 |
8,5 |
-59% |
| Propionaldehyde |
N/A |
7,8 |
29,6 |
-74% |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Polyaromatic hydrocarbons, amount of μg per 1 cigarette |
| Naphthalene |
headache, vomitting |
1,6 |
1105 |
-99,9% |
| Acenaftylen |
N/A |
1,9 |
235 |
-99% |
| Acenaften |
N/A |
145 |
49 |
+295% |
| Fluoren |
N/A |
1,5 |
371 |
-99% |
| Antracen |
toxic, irritates the respiratory s. |
0,3 |
130 |
-99% |
| Fenantren |
carcinogenic |
2 |
292 |
-99% |
| Fluoranten |
carcinogenic |
7,3 |
123 |
-94% |
| Pyren |
toxic to liver and kidneys |
6,4 |
89 |
-93% |
| Benz[a]antracen |
N/A |
1,8 |
33 |
-94% |
| Chrysen |
carcinogenic |
1,5 |
48 |
-97% |
| Benz[e]acefenantrylen |
N/A |
0,5 |
24 |
-98% |
| Benzo[k]fluoranten |
N/A |
0,4 |
24 |
-98% |
| Benzo[a]pyren |
suspected to be carcinogenic |
0,8 |
20 |
-96% |
| Inorganic substances, ppm in smoke |
| Carbon Dioxide |
poisonous, common and natural |
3057 |
>9000 |
N/A |
| Carbon Monoxide |
poisonous, block oxygen |
328 |
>2000 |
N/A |
| Nitric Oxide |
poisonous, loosens muscle |
5,5 |
89,4 |
-94% |
It's necessary to say that the results of this study were attacked by Philip Morris who doesn't agree with it or with some of it. Official content of HEETS according to the manufacturer.
Authors of the study
- Reto Auer, MD, MAS
Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern
- Nicolas Concha-Lozano, Ph.D.; Aurélie Berthet, PhD
Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne
- Reto Auer, MD, MAS; Isabelle Jacot-Sadowski, MD; Jacques Cornuz, MD, MPH
Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne