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Information / Heated tobacco
Heated tobacco: it is still tobacco
Heated tobacco products use an electronic device to heat real tobacco. They are not the same as vapes, and they are not harmless.
Last reviewed: 23 September 2026
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Not a vape. Not a quit aid.
Heated tobacco still exposes users to nicotine and toxic substances. Government evidence says the aerosol can contain carcinogens, and there is little evidence it helps people stop smoking.
Cigarette, heated tobacco or vape?
The devices can look similar, but what they contain and how they work are different.
Cigarettes
Burn tobacco.
Combustion creates smoke containing thousands of chemicals. Smoking remains the most harmful of these routes.
Heated tobacco
Heat real tobacco.
The device heats tobacco sticks or inserts to create an aerosol. The aerosol still contains toxic substances and can contain carcinogens.
Vapes
Heat e-liquid, not tobacco.
For adults who smoke, vaping has a much stronger evidence base as a quitting option than heated tobacco.
What do we know about the health risk?
Heating tobacco instead of burning it changes the aerosol people are exposed to, but it does not make the product safe.
UK government evidence summaries point to clear toxicity from heated tobacco and say the aerosol contains carcinogens. Nicotine in heated tobacco is also addictive.
The long-term health picture is less established than for cigarettes, which is one reason simple claims such as “safe” or “harmless” are misleading.
Using it to quit smoking?
There is currently little evidence that heated tobacco helps people stop smoking.
If quitting is the goal, NHS support, licensed NRT, stop-smoking medicines or vaping for adults who smoke have a stronger evidence base.
What does the law treat it as?
Heated tobacco is a tobacco product. It does not sit under the same rules as a nicotine vape.
From 1 January 2027, retailers will not be allowed to sell tobacco products, including heated tobacco, to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
Separate restrictions on promotional giveaways and substantial promotional discounts for tobacco products begin on 29 October 2026.
Not sure what product you found?
Heated tobacco devices can look like vapes, but the consumable stick or insert contains tobacco.
Our product guide helps parents and carers compare common products and packaging.
If you smoke and want something less harmful, start with quitting support
You do not have to pick a product first. Help Me Quit can help you compare options that are designed and supported for stopping smoking.