On April 30, the FDA approved tobacco giant Philip Morris International's application for sales of its IQOS "Tobacco Heating System," a rechargeable electronic cigarette device that heats, rather than burns, tobacco to produce a nicotine vapor.
While the ruling does not signify FDA safety approval, the agency stated that it had allowed marketing of IQOS and its accompanying Marlboro "Heatsticks" because they produce fewer toxins and lower levels of chemicals such as acrolein and formaldehyde than cigarette smoke.
Since IQOS delivers approximately the same amount of nicotine as regular cigarettes, the FDA suggested that some cigarette smokers could be convinced to transition to the less toxic device. However, the agency stopped short of allowing IQOS to be marketed as less harmful than other tobacco products.
Additionally, the FDA stated that it will continue to assess the safety of IQOS and monitor its marketing and sales, focusing especially on compliance with the agency's restrictions to prevent youth access and uptake.
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