Smokers who switched to the iQOS tobacco heating device reduced their exposure to 15 harmful chemicals to levels near those of former smokers, according to a Japanese study cited by Philip Morris International (PMI).

“This study is an important step to confirm that while IQOS is not risk-free, it is a better choice for the millions of smokers who do not quit,” said PMI Chief Medical Officer Frank Lüdicke. The study was conducted by the Osaki Hospital Tokyo Heart Centre over three months with a sampling of 160 people, PMI said. Study results were published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.
PMI market tested iQOS in Nagoya, Japan, in late 2014 and later began national distribution. Japan is PMI's largest market for the heat-not-burn product.