Recent technological advances have brought new products such as tobacco products for heating and e-cigarettes, which offer adult smokers who do not quit a better alternative to traditional cigarettes.

What are heated tobacco products?

Heat tobacco products, or "heat-not-burn (HNB) products," do exactly what their name suggests: They only heat tobacco instead of burning it. This is their key distinguishing feature from conventional cigarettes. Because heating tobacco products do not burn tobacco, and therefore there is no combustion process, they do not produce smoke, and their aerosols contain fewer and lower levels of harmful constituents compared to cigarette smoke. Since there is no combustion in tobacco products for heating, they also do not produce ash, unlike conventional cigarettes. A tobacco product for heating consists of two main parts: the heating source and the tobacco itself. Some, but not all, devices that heat tobacco are electronic, and the exact temperature to which the tobacco is heated varies from product to product. It is important to note that tobacco heating products do not produce the high temperatures at which tobacco is burned. What cigarettes and tobacco products for heating have in common is the use of tobacco, which naturally contains nicotine. Moreover, both conventional cigarettes and the so-called tobacco sticks, which are heated, are equipped with a filter.

How does an e-cigarette work anyway?

An e-cigarette is a tobacco-free alternative to cigarettes and consists of the following components:

• Tank or cap with vaporizer
• Mouthpiece
• Heating element
• Battery
• Case

In an e-cigarette the so-called e-liquid is heated in order to inhale the resulting aerosol afterwards. Unlike smoking, vaporizing does not produce any combustion products. However, the liquid of an e-cigarette may still contain nicotine. This is extracted as natural nicotine from the tobacco plant. Although this means that the liquid of an e-cigarette is without tobacco, it can still have a tobacco-like aroma. This cigarette substitute also offers the possibility to reduce the nicotine strength and to steam the e-cigarette without nicotine.

The main differences between the e-cigarette and the tobacco heater

Electric cigarettes and tobacco heaters are quickly confused. Although neither involves a combustion process, the alternatives for cigarettes are not identical. 

• E-liquids versus Tobacco Sticks
• The e-cigarette is without tobacco
• Tobacco heaters are only available with nicotine

E-liquids versus Tobacco Sticks

The first difference is that tobacco heaters special tobacco sticks are heated electrically. This creates the characteristic aerosol. It is different from the e-cigarette, which vaporizes liquid.

The e-cigarette is without tobacco

Another difference is that the e-cigarette is without tobacco. The e-liquids can only have tobacco-like notes. Instead, a tobacco heater allows tobacco enjoyment with real tobacco. 

Tobacco heaters are only available with nicotine

Electric cigarette e-liquids can contain nicotine, but they don't have to. They are available with different nicotine strengths, but also completely nicotine-free. A tobacco heater, on the other hand, always contains nicotine.

Some similarities between e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters

There are also some features e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters have in common:

• Electric operation: Unlike a cigarette, tobacco heater and e-cigarettes are battery operated.
• Nicotine content: Through the aerosol of an e-cigarette or tobacco heater, the body can absorb nicotine.
• No combustion processes: Both options eliminate ash, fire, and cigarette smoke odor.
• Different flavors: Both e-cigarettes and tobacco sticks come in different flavors. From menthol to cherry to vanilla, everything is possible. A tobacco flavor is possible with both the e-cigarette and the tobacco vaporizer. With the e-cigarette, tobacco flavorings are simply added to the liquid. The tobacco heater already tastes of tobacco by nature.
• Potentially less harmful: Nicotine consumption with the e-cigarette or tobacco heater can be reduced.
• Age restrictions: Tobacco vaporizers, e-cigarettes as well as conventional cigarettes, are only to be sold to adults over the age of 18 as part of the protection of minors. Like all tobacco products, tobacco vaporizers and e-cigarettes are also subject to advertising restrictions in Germany.

Conclusion - There are some differences between tobacco heaters and e-cigarettes

Tobacco heaters and e-cigarettes are often confused, and not without reason. Both electric cigarettes and tobacco heaters do not produce smoke or ash. Moreover, both devices can be substitutes for cigarettes. Nevertheless, the two should not be lumped together.