Altria has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the commercialisation of the next generation of the IQOS tobacco heating system device, IQOS 3, in the US.

The FDA authorisation follows the review of the IQOS 3 Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) submitted by Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI). Philip Morris USA (PM USA), under an exclusive agreement with PMI, commercialises the IQOS system in the US with three HeatStick variants. Unlike cigarettes, the IQOS system heats but does not burn tobacco.
According to Altria’s press release, IQOS 3 offers several enhancements to the IQOS 2.4 currently being sold in select US markets, including a longer battery life, faster re-charging time, a side opening mechanism, and magnetic closure. “Altria’s 10-year vision is to responsibly lead the transition of adult smokers to a non-combustible future. IQOS is a key part of that future and we’re excited to build on our first-mover advantage with the enhanced IQOS 3 device which has performed successfully in international markets,” said Jon Moore, President and Chief Executive Officer of PM USA.
IQOS is currently available in the Atlanta, Georgia, Richmond, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina markets. With PMTA authorisation of IQOS 3, PM USA expects to begin quickly marketing the IQOS 3 device to US adult smokers once the regulatory and US importation logistics have been satisfied, the press release said.