Comparisons
Compare the categories
Pick two product categories to see them side by side. Differences are highlighted.
Feature
Heated Tobacco Products
Cigarettes
Composition
Product type
Processed tobacco stick used with a heating device
Combustible tobacco product
Quality features
Operating principle
Tobacco is heated without full combustion
Tobacco is burned
Temperature range
Controlled heating ~250–350°C, below full combustion
Combustion temperature ~600–900°C during burning
Core emissions
Tar / total particulate matter
Aerosol particulate matter formed mainly from heated tobacco, water, glycerol and other ingredients
Particulate matter formed from combustion smoke
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Formed at much lower levels because the product is heated rather than burned
Formed mainly through incomplete combustion
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
May be present at lower levels from heating processes
Formed during combustion
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Measured levels depend on heating temperature and device design
Formed during high-temperature combustion
Ammonia
May be present in aerosol depending on tobacco processing and formulation
May be present in tobacco smoke
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
Expected to be lower because full combustion is avoided
Formed during combustion of nitrogen-containing tobacco components
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
May be present at trace or lower levels depending on tobacco composition
May form during combustion
Particulates
PM2.5
Fine particles present in aerosol with different formation pathway and composition
Fine particles present in smoke
Ultrafine particles
Ultrafine aerosol particles may be generated during heating
Formed in combustion smoke
Soot / black carbon
Generally absent or much lower because there is no open burning
Formed through combustion
PAHs
Benzo[a]pyrene
May be absent or present at much lower measured levels depending on testing conditions
PAH formed during combustion
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Formation limited by lower heating temperature
Formed mainly through high-temperature combustion
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Benzene
May be measured in aerosol at lower levels depending on device and tobacco stick
VOC formed during combustion
1,3-butadiene
May be present at lower measured levels
Combustion-related VOC
Toluene
May be present in aerosol depending on tobacco and heating conditions
VOC present in smoke
Isoprene
May be present in aerosol at different measured levels
VOC present in smoke
Acrylonitrile
May be absent or present at lower measured levels
VOC formed during combustion
Styrene
May be present in aerosol depending on materials and heating conditions
VOC present in smoke
Ethylbenzene
May be present in aerosol at different measured levels
VOC present in smoke
Xylene
May be present in aerosol at different measured levels
VOC present in smoke
Carbonyls
Formaldehyde
May form during heating of tobacco, glycerol or other ingredients
Carbonyl formed during combustion and thermal degradation
Acetaldehyde
May be present in aerosol from heated tobacco and ingredients
Carbonyl present in smoke
Acrolein
May form from heating of glycerol or other organic components
Toxic carbonyl formed during combustion
Crotonaldehyde
May be present in aerosol at different measured levels
Carbonyl present in smoke
Glyoxal
May be present in aerosol depending on heating conditions
Reactive carbonyl present in smoke
Methylglyoxal
May be present in aerosol from thermal degradation processes
Reactive carbonyl present in smoke
Acetone
May be present in aerosol at different levels
Volatile carbonyl present in smoke
Phenolics
Phenol
May be present from tobacco heating, usually with different levels
Phenolic compound formed during combustion
Catechol
May be present depending on heating and tobacco composition
Phenolic compound present in smoke
Hydroquinone
May be present at different measured levels
Phenolic compound present in smoke
Cresols
May be present depending on tobacco and heating temperature
Phenolic compounds formed during combustion
Nitrogen-containing compounds
Pyridine
May be present in aerosol from heated tobacco
Nitrogen-containing compound present in smoke
Quinoline
May be present at different measured levels
Nitrogen-containing compound present in smoke
Furan
May form during heating of organic materials
Volatile compound formed during heating and combustion
Acrylamide
May be assessed as a thermal degradation product
May form during high-temperature combustion
Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs)
NNK
May be present because the product contains tobacco
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
NNN
May be present because the product contains tobacco
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
NAT
May be present because the product contains tobacco
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
NAB
May be present because the product contains tobacco
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine present in tobacco smoke
Metals & trace elements
Cadmium
May be present from tobacco or aerosol pathway
Metal transferred from tobacco into smoke and ash
Lead
May be present from tobacco, device components or aerosol pathway
May be present in tobacco smoke and ash
Arsenic
May be present depending on tobacco source
Trace element may be present in tobacco smoke
Chromium
May be present from tobacco or device components
May be present in smoke particles
Nickel
May be present from tobacco or device heating components
May be present in smoke particles
Mercury
May be present depending on tobacco source
Trace metal may be present depending on tobacco source
Copper
May be present from tobacco or device components
Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
Zinc
May be present from tobacco or device components
Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
Aluminium
May be present from tobacco, packaging or device-related sources
Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
Iron
May be present from tobacco or device components
Trace metal may be present in smoke particles
Other constituents
Glycerol degradation products
May form during heating of glycerol-containing formulations
May form if glycerol or humectants are burned
Propylene glycol degradation products
May form during heating if propylene glycol is used
May form if propylene glycol is present and burned
Other VOCs
Broad group of volatile organic compounds in aerosol
Broad group of volatile organic compounds in smoke
Other semi-volatile organic compounds
May be present in aerosol droplets
Present in smoke particulate and gas phases
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
Heated Tobacco Products and Cigarettes 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.