Sustainability: Our Approach - FAQs

Heat not Burn means that the tobacco is heated enough to release nicotine and flavours, but not enough for the tobacco to be burned. The heating process creates a nicotine-containing vapour (aerosol).

Heated tobacco is an innovative technology that enables adult smokers to use tobacco without burning it, resulting in no combustion or smoke. Today there are also tobacco-free nicotine sticks available.

Through IQOS HeatControl Technology, the IQOS device heats the tobacco or nicotine without burning it. The result is a cigarette-like or menthol and berry flavor experience, without fire, ash and smoke smell. You can read about our scientific results on the PMI website here.

For safety reasons, and to take best care of yourself, your family and friends, you should not share your IQOS with others.

The ban on characteristic flavours, such as menthol, results from the EU Tobacco Products Directive from 2014, which became applicable in the EU Member States on 20 May, 2016. For menthol cigarettes, the ban took effect on May 20, 2020.

The ban on menthol cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco applied as of May 20, 2020.

Yes, cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco without characteristic flavors are not covered by the ban and you can still buy other tobacco and nicotine products with menthol or other characteristic flavors. Menthol will stay in heatsticks used with IQOS.

The menthol ban applies to all EU member states. Other countries outside the EU are not covered by the menthol ban but may prohibit menthol cigarettes through national legislation.

Yes, all menthol cigarettes purchased before the menthol ban can be legally smoked after the ban goes into effect. But you will no longer be able to buy new menthol cigarettes in stores throughout the EU region.

The main intention of the menthol ban is to make cigarettes less appealing to smokers - especially young people.