FDA Approves Tobacco-Heating Device

July 2, 2019

 

Philip Morris International has waited two years for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve their IQOS (EYE-kose) device in the United States. The “heat not burn” tobacco device is alleged by the company to be safer than traditional cigarettes. Although the FDA doesn’t put in writing the same concept, the agency does believe the heated tobacco-stick could help people to quit smoking.

 

IQOS is a pen-like device that comes with a battery pack which resembles a cigarette case. The device has an electronically controlled heating blade that warms up a tobacco stick, which then releases a tobacco-tasting vapor. Fewer harmful chemicals are being released in the vapor than in traditional cigarette smoke. Instead of liquid nicotine, like e-cigarettes already in the marketplace, the IQOS contains tobacco, while still delivering the same amount of nicotine as traditional cigarettes.

 

In the limited research done in other countries where IQOS has already been approved, so far it appears the device is not popular among minors. This is a crucial component for IQOS’s release, since the FDA continues to discus the ban on flavor and menthol cigarettes.

 

Because the FDA still considers the IQOS device to be a cigarette product, Philip Morris International must abide by the same laws and marketing as cigarette producers do. This includes the packaging, advertising, and any other marketing the company may produce to promote the device. In the same regard, Philip Morris International must report regularly to the FDA with information regarding products on the market.

 

The IQOS device is predicted to hit the U.S. marketplace by the end of the year.