Iqos or cigarettes - what is actually better for the body?

Iqos or cigarettes - what is actually better for the body?

If you're looking for alternatives to smoking cigarettes, you've probably heard of Iqos. These devices heat tobacco instead of burning it and are often advertised as being less harmful. But what's the real story behind it? Is Iqos actually better for your body than traditional cigarettes?

What is Iqos?

Iqos is a product of Philip Morris International and belongs to the category of so-called "heat-not-burn" products. This involves heating the tobacco to a temperature high enough to release nicotine and flavors, but not high enough to burn the tobacco. This is intended to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals that are produced.

The manufacturers’ claims

Manufacturers such as Philip Morris claim that Iqos produces fewer harmful substances than conventional cigarettes. This claim is based on the fact that the combustion of tobacco at higher temperatures releases numerous toxic substances that are not produced or are produced in smaller quantities when heated.

What do the studies say?

Several independent studies have examined how much less harmful Iqos is compared to traditional cigarettes. While some studies have shown that Iqos does indeed release fewer toxic substances, "less harmful" does not automatically mean "safe."

A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) has shown that Iqos also releases harmful chemicals, just in smaller quantities. There are still risks of cardiovascular disease, lung disease and cancer. This means that Iqos can by no means be considered a "healthy" alternative.

Long-term consequences and dependence

Another point to consider is the long-term effects. Since Iqos is still relatively new on the market, there are no long-term studies analyzing the exact effects on health over the years. We now know that cigarettes cause serious and often fatal diseases. It is still unclear whether Iqos will have similar effects decades later.

In addition, Iqos, like regular cigarettes, contains nicotine. Nicotine is the substance that is addictive. So if you switch from cigarettes to Iqos, you will remain addicted to nicotine and continue to risk the health consequences of this addiction.

Conclusion: Iqos is not healthier

After weighing up all the facts, it is clear: Iqos is not healthier than cigarettes. It may release fewer harmful substances, but it still poses a risk to your health. If you really want to do something for your body, the best way is to avoid both cigarettes and Iqos and overcome nicotine addiction.

Switching to Iqos can be a stepping stone to quitting smoking for some smokers, but you should be aware that it is not a permanent solution. Your body will thank you for taking a smoke-free and nicotine-free path.1