Comparisons
Compare the categories
Pick two product categories to see them side by side. Differences are highlighted.
Feature
Cigarettes
Heated Tobacco Products
Composition
Product type
Combustible tobacco product
Processed tobacco stick used with a heating device
Quality features
Operating principle
Tobacco is burned
Tobacco is heated without full combustion
Temperature range
Combustion temperature ~600–900°C during burning
Controlled heating ~250–350°C, below full combustion
Core emissions
Tar / total particulate matter
Particulate matter formed from combustion smoke
Aerosol particulate matter formed mainly from heated tobacco, water, glycerol and other ingredients
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Formed mainly through incomplete combustion
Formed at much lower levels because the product is heated rather than burned
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
Formed during combustion
May be present at lower levels from heating processes
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Formed during high-temperature combustion
Measured levels depend on heating temperature and device design
Ammonia
May be present in tobacco smoke
May be present in aerosol depending on tobacco processing and formulation
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
Formed during combustion of nitrogen-containing tobacco components
Expected to be lower because full combustion is avoided
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
May form during combustion
May be present at trace or lower levels depending on tobacco composition
Particulates
PM2.5
Fine particles present in smoke
Fine particles present in aerosol with different formation pathway and composition
Ultrafine particles
Formed in combustion smoke
Ultrafine aerosol particles may be generated during heating
Soot / black carbon
Formed through combustion
Generally absent or much lower because there is no open burning
PAHs
Benzo[a]pyrene
PAH formed during combustion
May be absent or present at much lower measured levels depending on testing conditions
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Formed mainly through high-temperature combustion
Formation limited by lower heating temperature
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Benzene
VOC formed during combustion
May be measured in aerosol at lower levels depending on device and tobacco stick
1,3-butadiene
Combustion-related VOC
May be present at lower measured levels
Toluene
VOC present in smoke
May be present in aerosol depending on tobacco and heating conditions
Isoprene
VOC present in smoke
May be present in aerosol at different measured levels
Acrylonitrile
VOC formed during combustion
May be absent or present at lower measured levels
Styrene
VOC present in smoke
May be present in aerosol depending on materials and heating conditions
Ethylbenzene
VOC present in smoke
May be present in aerosol at different measured levels
Xylene
VOC present in smoke
May be present in aerosol at different measured levels
Carbonyls
Formaldehyde
Carbonyl formed during combustion and thermal degradation
May form during heating of tobacco, glycerol or other ingredients
Acetaldehyde
Carbonyl present in smoke
May be present in aerosol from heated tobacco and ingredients
Acrolein
Toxic carbonyl formed during combustion
May form from heating of glycerol or other organic components
Crotonaldehyde
Carbonyl present in smoke
May be present in aerosol at different measured levels
Glyoxal
Reactive carbonyl present in smoke
May be present in aerosol depending on heating conditions
Methylglyoxal
Reactive carbonyl present in smoke
May be present in aerosol from thermal degradation processes
Acetone
Volatile carbonyl present in smoke
May be present in aerosol at different levels
Phenolics
Phenol
Phenolic compound formed during combustion
May be present from tobacco heating, usually with different levels
Catechol
Phenolic compound present in smoke
May be present depending on heating and tobacco composition
Hydroquinone
Phenolic compound present in smoke
May be present at different measured levels
Cresols
Phenolic compounds formed during combustion
May be present depending on tobacco and heating temperature
Nitrogen-containing compounds
Pyridine
Nitrogen-containing compound present in smoke
May be present in aerosol from heated tobacco
Quinoline
Nitrogen-containing compound present in smoke
May be present at different measured levels
Furan
Volatile compound formed during heating and combustion
May form during heating of organic materials
Acrylamide
May form during high-temperature combustion
May be assessed as a thermal degradation product
Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs)
NNK
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
May be present because the product contains tobacco
NNN
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
May be present because the product contains tobacco
NAT
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
May be present because the product contains tobacco
NAB
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
May be present because the product contains tobacco
Metals & trace elements
Cadmium
Metal transferred from tobacco into smoke and ash
May be present from tobacco or aerosol pathway
Lead
May be present in tobacco smoke and ash
May be present from tobacco, device components or aerosol pathway
Arsenic
Trace element may be present in tobacco smoke
May be present depending on tobacco source
Chromium
May be present in smoke particles
May be present from tobacco or device components
Nickel
May be present in smoke particles
May be present from tobacco or device heating components
Mercury
Trace metal may be present depending on tobacco source
May be present depending on tobacco source
Copper
Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
May be present from tobacco or device components
Zinc
Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
May be present from tobacco or device components
Aluminium
Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
May be present from tobacco, packaging or device-related sources
Iron
Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
May be present from tobacco or device components
Other constituents
Glycerol degradation products
May form if glycerol or humectants are burned
May form during heating of glycerol-containing formulations
Propylene glycol degradation products
May form if propylene glycol is present and burned
May form during heating if propylene glycol is used
Other VOCs
Broad group of volatile organic compounds in smoke
Broad group of volatile organic compounds in aerosol
Other semi-volatile organic compounds
Present in smoke particulate and gas phases
May be present in aerosol droplets
Conclusions from recognized authorities
ArenaH does not draw its own conclusions. Below are positions stated by internationally recognized bodies specifically about how these categories compare.
WHO concludes that all forms of tobacco use are harmful. Heated tobacco products (HTPs) produce aerosols that contain nicotine and toxic chemicals; available evidence does not show they are less harmful than conventional cigarettes for the user, and they cannot be considered a safe alternative.
Based on the manufacturer's data, the FDA authorized specific IQOS products as 'modified risk' with reduced-exposure claims — meaning the system heats rather than burns tobacco and exposure to some harmful chemicals is reduced. The FDA explicitly does not state that these products are safe, nor that they reduce the risk of disease.
The ERS position is that HTPs still emit harmful and potentially harmful constituents and should not be promoted as a safer alternative to combustible cigarettes; independent studies show measurable exposure to several toxicants.
Similarities
Both categories belong to the broader consumer goods landscape and share common regulatory frameworks for food/product labeling where applicable. Use the highlighted rows in the table to spot the differences.
Neutral summary
Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products differ across composition, processing and consumer experience. Neither comparison is a recommendation — consult labels, local regulation, and qualified professionals for personal decisions.
ArenaH provides educational and informational comparisons only. The content is not medical, legal, financial, or technical advice. Users should consult qualified professionals or official sources before making decisions related to health, safety, law, or major purchases.