THS aerosol compared with cigarette smoke

      Tobacco Heating System mainstream aerosol compared with reference cigarette smoke

      We conducted laboratory studies to measure Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents in the inhalable aerosol of our Tobacco Heating System (THS) and compared them to the levels found in the smoke of a standard reference cigarette (3R4F). An average of 90-95% reduction of these HPHCs in the THS aerosol was observed.

       

      Analysis of Philip Morris International THS Aerosol

      The following tables compare the levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) found in the aerosol of PMI’s THS with the levels found in smoke from a reference cigarette based on analyses performed by Labstat International ULC, an independent contract research organization. THS 2.2 is commercialized as IQOS in certain markets, while THS 3.0 is commercialized as IQOS ILUMA in markets where it is available.

      Labstat International ULC is an independent International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 accredited laboratory in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

      Read the comparison for two versions of THS:

      Health Canada Intense Testing Regime for THS 2.2

      Yields obtained under the Health Canada Intense Testing regime show that in the laboratory, the levels of HPHCs in the THS 2.2 aerosol were reduced by 90-95%, on average, relative to those found in the smoke of the reference cigarette 3R4F.

      Prior to conducting the aerosol generation experiment, all test items were conditioned according to ISO 3402 conditions (22 °C ± 1 °C and 60% ± 2%). The laboratory condition set during the aerosol generation was maintained at 22 °C ± 2 °C and 60% ± 5% relative humidity.

      All aerosol and smoke collections were performed according to the Health Canada Intense (HCI) machine-smoking protocol (55 mL puff volume, 30 seconds puff interval, 2 seconds puff, 100% vent blocking, butt length 23 mm for non-filter cigarettes or the length of filter overwrap plus 3 mm for filter brands) on a linear smoking machine.

      For the THS 2.2, the vent blocking does not apply as the tobacco sticks are not ventilated (no perforation at the filter level). The butt length does not apply either, as the sticks are not consumed by combustion and remain of the same size throughout use. The beginning and the end of the aerosol collection for the tobacco sticks differs from what is applied to a cigarette, as there is not ignition, and the stick is not consumed by combustion. The aerosol collection starts after the pre-heating period (30 seconds) and stops at 6 minutes, which is the end of the heating period. This results in exactly 12 puffs under HCI testing regime.

      This table was updated on March 17, 2023 to provide values of "reduction vs ref. cigarette" for the constituents acrylonitrile, 3-aminobiphenyl, 4-aminobiphenyl, and o-cresol, as a % reduction could be calculated.

       

      Health Canada Intense Testing Regime for THS 3.0

      Yields obtained under the Health Canada Intense Testing regime show that in the laboratory, the levels of HPHCs in the THS 3.0 aerosol were reduced by 90-95%, on average, relative to those found in the smoke of the reference cigarette 3R4F.

      Prior to conducting the aerosol generation experiment, all test items were conditioned according to ISO 3402 conditions (22 °C ± 1 °C and 60% ± 2%). The laboratory condition set during the aerosol generation was maintained at 22 °C ± 2 °C and 60% ± 5% relative humidity.

      All aerosol and smoke collections were performed according to the Health Canada Intense (HCI) machine-smoking protocol (55 mL puff volume, 30 seconds puff interval, 2 seconds puff, 100% vent blocking, butt length 23 mm for non-filter cigarettes or the length of filter overwrap plus 3 mm for filter brands) on a linear smoking machine.

      For the THS 3.0, the vent blocking does not apply as the ventilation holes are not accessible to the consumer during product use.  The holes are essential for the aerosol formation for THS 3.0: air intake through these holes provides the conditions necessary for the formation of aerosol droplets through condensation. The butt length does not apply either, as the sticks are not consumed by combustion and remain of the same size throughout use. The beginning and the end of the aerosol collection for the tobacco sticks differs from what is applied to a cigarette, as there is not ignition, and the stick is not consumed by combustion. The aerosol collection starts after the pre-heating period (30 seconds) and stops at 6 minutes, which is the end of the heating period. This results in exactly 12 puffs under HCI testing regime.

      This table was updated on March 17, 2023 to provide values of "reduction vs ref. cigarette" for the constituents 3-aminobiphenyl, 4-aminobiphenyl, and m-cresol, as a % reduction could be calculated.

       

      Related Articles
      PMI's aerosol chemistry list of 58 constituents
      We regularly monitor the levels of harmful chemicals. See which chemicals are part of the PMI 58 list.
      FDA's list of HPHCs
      See the levels of toxicants in THS aerosol compared with cigarette smoke according to the FDA-93 list.
      Tobacco Heating System
      We have developed several variants of the Tobacco Heating System (THS). These blade and induction devices heat rather than burn tobacco.​

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