An advisory panel to the government found that users of heat-not-burn (HNB) tobacco products are exposed to fewer harmful compounds than cigarette smokers, and that HNB products likely pose a lower risk than cigarettes, the BBC reported.

The BBC said the Committee on Toxicology (COT) found HNB users “are exposed to between 50 per cent to 90 per cent fewer ‘harmful and potentially harmful’ compounds compared with conventional cigarettes”. The COT examined the evidence available concerning the risks of two HNB products on sale in the UK: IQOS, made by Philip Morris International, and iFuse, made by British American Tobacco.
The panel was reportedly unable to quantify the health risk of using heated tobacco products and also did not compare heat-not-burn products with e-cigarettes, due to a lack of evidence.
Prof Alan Boobis, committee chairman, said: "The evidence suggests that heat-not-burn products still pose a risk to users. There is likely to be a reduction in risk for cigarette smokers who switch to heat-not-burn products but quitting entirely would be more beneficial."
A spokesperson for IQOS maker, Philip Morris Limited, was quoted as saying "We are encouraged by today's statement of the UK's Committee on Toxicity and will continue to share our scientific evidence."