IQOS^TM vs. e-Cigarette vs. Tobacco Cigarette: A Direct Comparison of Short-Term Effects after Overnight-Abstinence

• Main Authors: Karolien Adriaens, Dinska Van Gucht, Frank Baeyens
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: tobacco harm reduction; electronic cigarettes; heat-not-burn tobacco products
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/12/2902

<i>Introduction</i>: Research from Philip Morris International&#8217;s science division on its Heat-not-Burn product IQOS^TM focused on its chemical, toxicological, clinical, and behavioral aspects. Independent research on the experiences and behavioral aspects of using IQOS^TM, and how it compares to e-cigarettes, is largely lacking. The current randomized, cross-over behavioral trial tried to bridge the latter gaps. <i>Methods</i>: Participants (<i>n</i> = 30) came to the lab on three consecutive days after being overnight smoking abstinent. During each session, participants used one of three products (cigarette, e-cigarette, or IQOS^TM) for five minutes. Exhaled CO (eCO) measurements and questionnaires were repeatedly administered throughout the session. <i>Results</i>: Smoking a cigarette for five minutes resulted in a significant increase of eCO, whereas using an IQOS^TM resulted in a small but reliable increase (0.3 ppm). Vaping did not affect eCO. Cigarette craving reduced significantly after product use, with the decline being stronger for smoking than for e-cigarettes or IQOS^TM. Withdrawal symptoms declined immediately after smoking or using IQOS^TM, and with some delay after vaping. IQOS^TM scored higher in terms of subjective reward/satisfaction and was slightly preferred to the e-cigarette. <i>Discussion</i>: Short-term use of IQOS^TM has a minimal impact on eCO, is equally effective in reducing cigarette craving and withdrawal symptoms as an e-cigarette, and is slightly preferred.