WHO: Heated Tobacco Products Are Tobacco Products

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a statement regarding heated tobacco products, reminding member states of their obligations under the convention. The organization emphasizes that heated tobacco products are tobacco products and are fully subject to the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

WHO reiterates that reducing exposure to harmful chemicals in heated tobacco products does not make them harmless or lead to reduced health risks. In fact, the levels of some toxic substances in the aerosol from heated tobacco products can be higher than in the smoke of conventional cigarettes, and the aerosol also contains other toxic substances not found in conventional cigarette smoke. The health effects of exposure to these substances remain unknown.

On July 7, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the marketing of the "IQOS" heated tobacco system under federal law. The law requires premarket authorization before new tobacco products can be introduced to the U.S. market. However, the FDA clarified that these products "remain unsafe" and are "not approved by the FDA," and that the manufacturer cannot claim they are safe or FDA-approved.

The FDA, in its authorization, rejected claims that "IQOS" is less harmful or reduces health risks compared to other tobacco products. Furthermore, the FDA requires the company to monitor youth awareness and use to ensure that the marketing of risk-modified tobacco products does not lead to unintended consequences among young people. All tobacco products pose a health risk, and WHO urges strict implementation of all provisions of the Framework Convention, which support tobacco cessation efforts and reduce the likelihood of non-users, particularly youth, initiating use.