DVS

    Disposable Vaping System

    Our Disposable Vaping System (DVS), commercialized as VEEV NOW, is an e-vapor product that, like the Ceramic Vaping System (CVS), uses a heater to create nicotine-containing aerosol. The DVS differs in that it eliminates the need for charging, cleaning, and refilling. Read more about the innovative technology behind Philip Morris International’s (PMI's) DVS.

    What are disposable vapes?

    Disposable e-vapor products are single-use devices that are disposed of once the battery is depleted. Unlike closed pod systems, such as our Ceramic Vaping System (CVS), which is rechargeable and uses replaceable pods (e-liquid cartridges), disposable e-vapor products like the DVS are ready to use and usually have a shorter lifespan compared with systems where you can refill the e-liquid or change the pod. However, the DVS is recyclable through our CIRCLE program, in which end-of-life devices are collected and sent to centralized CIRCLE hubs, which inspect, process, and separate materials for recycling and reuse. More than 80% of the components in returned DVS units are recyclable, contributing to environmental sustainability. 

    How does DVS work?

    The DVS is a handheld, battery-powered device that vaporizes a nicotine-containing e-liquid instead of burning tobacco. The DVS components include:

    • Battery
    • Electronics
    • E-liquid storage
    • Heating element
    • Mouthpiece

    There are no activation buttons on the DVS. Instead, the device automatically powers on when a user puffs and powers off when puffing stops.  It also features an integrated LED light system that offers real-time status updates of the device. Each device includes a precharged, International Science Council (ISO)-certified lithium-ion battery capable of delivering up to 500 puffs, assuming a puff duration of 1 second. 

    The DVS uses a wick and coil heating technology. This draws the e-liquid up a wick, made from organic cotton, and onto a coil-heating element. This process ensures a continuous flow of e-liquid from the tank to the coil until the battery is depleted. 

    The DVS uses an e-liquid which contains propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin to aid in the aerosol formation, food-grade flavorings, and pharmaceutical-grade nicotine.

    The coil heats the e-liquid until it evaporates. This rapidly cools down and condenses into liquid droplets, forming the aerosol. It is this aerosol which is then inhaled. 

    In this diagram, we see the steps of this process:

    1. The electronic system is activated upon user inhalation.
    2. Upon activation, the temperature of the coil rises, heating the e-liquid to the point where it evaporates.
    3. The aerosol travels along the airflow path until it condenses prior to inhalation.

    The science behind DVS

    Vaping systems don’t contain tobacco and don’t produce combustion. As a result, systems like DVS emit on average 99% lower levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs), compared with cigarettes. However, this does not necessarily equal a 99% reduction in risk. The DVS is not risk free and contains nicotine, which is addictive. But for adult smokers who don’t quit, it is a better alternative than continued smoking.

    Given the similarity in e-liquid formulation and aerosol performance between the DVS and its precursor MESH Vaping System (MVS), the data gathered from the scientific assessment of MVS (including clinical data) can provide valuable insights into positioning DVS as a better alternative to cigarettes.

    Read more on PMI's scientific assessment of our e-vapor products:

    For communicating the extent of HPHCs emitted by our smoke-free products, we use reduced emission statements, which are the relative reductions of a selected number of toxicants in emissions of smoke-free products compared with cigarettes.

    The approach used by PMI to substantiate our reduced emissions for consumer-facing product statement is based on the World Health Organization (WHO) 9 list. This is a list of nine priority HPHCs proposed by the WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation for mandated lowering in cigarette smoke, which does not include nicotine.   

    PMI selected the WHO 9 because it allows us to provide consumers with accurate and nonmisleading information while improving the consistency of the messages across product categories and aligning with industry practices. Furthermore, this approach enables consumers to make educated and informed decisions about the products available on the market, including product properties, benefits, and risks.

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    PMIScience.com is operated by Philip Morris International for the purpose of publishing and disseminating scientific information about Philip Morris International’s efforts in support of its smoke-free product portfolio. This site is a global site for use by scientists, the public health and regulatory communities, and other stakeholders with an interest in tobacco policy. The purpose of this site is not advertising or marketing, nor is it directed at any specific market. It is not intended for use by consumers. New tobacco products sold in the United States are subject to FDA regulation; therefore the content of this site is not intended to make, and nor should it be construed as making, any product related claims in the United States without proper FDA authorization. ​
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    Reduced Risk Products ("RRPs”) is the term we use to refer to products that present, are likely to present, or have the potential to present less risk of harm to smokers who switch to these products versus continuing smoking. PMI has a range of RRPs in various stages of development, scientific assessment and commercialization. All of our RRPs are smoke-free products that deliver nicotine with far lower quantities of harmful and potentially harmful constituents than found in cigarette smoke.