IQOS tobacco heating system

IQOS is a leading brand of heated tobacco products (HTP) developed to provide adult smokers with a smoke-free alternative to traditional cigarettes. Unlike conventional smoking, which burns tobacco to produce smoke, the IQOS system uses an electronic device to heat specially designed tobacco sticks (such as HEETS, TEREA, or BLENDS) to a temperature that releases a nicotine-containing aerosol without combustion, fire, ash, or smoke. This 'heat-not-burn' technology was introduced as part of a strategic shift toward a smoke-free future.

The development of IQOS is the result of over a decade of research and multi-billion-dollar investments. While prototypes for non-combustible tobacco products existed as early as the 1990s, the modern IQOS brand was officially launched in 2014, with initial pilot markets in Nagoya, Japan, and Milan, Italy. Since then, it has expanded to over 70 countries globally, becoming the top-grossing smoke-free brand for its parent company.

Manufacturing for IQOS is distributed across several international locations to meet global demand. Key production hubs include a major facility in Bologna, Italy, and another significant site in Krakow, Poland. Additionally, production lines for the specialized tobacco sticks have been established or modernized in countries like the United States (North Carolina) and Switzerland. The brand remains under the ultimate ownership of Philip Morris International (PMI), which manages its global operations and research from its headquarters in the United States and Switzerland.