How Long Does It Take to Quit Smoking with IQOS, and Is IQOS Harmful to the Human Body?

How long does it take to quit smoking with IQOS, and is IQOS harmful to the human body? Let me share my experience using IQOS with my smoking friends. I started smoking cigarettes in 2008, and this year marks my tenth year. Those who have smoked cigarettes know that the longer you smoke, the stronger the addiction becomes, making it harder to quit. In 2012, I tried to quit for the first time and lasted over two months, but eventually couldn't hold on and have been smoking ever since. Those who have failed to quit often develop a resistant mindset towards quitting, similar to a self-destructive attitude, and I am no exception, so I didn't attempt to quit again afterward.

Until this year's May Day, when my son came home, and our family rarely gathered together, we went abroad for a trip. While wandering around, I saw an IQOS specialty counter. I had seen IQOS online before, and it seemed to have a good reputation, so I went in to take a look. IQOS is a new type of tobacco because it differs from the traditional method of smoking with an open flame and also differs from electronic cigarettes' vaporization. It uses a new technology called "heat-not-burn" to extract the aroma of tobacco through heating. The advantages of this method are obvious—no combustion reduces the release of many harmful substances, making it safer for both smokers and their families; although heating generates heat, it ensures a sufficient warmth sensation when smoking, making it quite similar to cigarettes and easy to accept.

At that time, after listening to the counter staff's introduction, I was quite tempted because just a few days earlier, my son had advised me to quit smoking, and I also had the intention to quit, especially since I am getting older and need to pay extra attention to my health. So I bought a set, and after returning home, I opened it up to use. Although it contains electronic devices, it is very simple to operate. The first puff felt a bit unfamiliar because the taste is somewhat different from cigarettes, but the sensation while smoking was quite pleasant, with no uncomfortable taste. After a few days of use, I inadvertently discovered that my frequency of smoking cigarettes had decreased. Previously, when I had a craving for cigarettes, I could finish half a pack in one go, but now I rarely smoke that much. After more than a month, I basically stopped smoking cigarettes. After quitting cigarettes, I consciously began to reduce the frequency of using IQOS, and now I hardly use it anymore.

So what is the charm of IQOS? Personally, I think, first, the tar content in tobacco is not as high as in cigarettes, making it safer compared to traditional cigarettes; second, IQOS can gradually reduce smokers' cravings for cigarettes, tackling the difficult cigarette addiction in a subtle way. As a ten-year smoker, I am quite impressed by it. If there are friends who need to quit smoking, it might be worth a try. Recommended reading: Why is IQOS electronic cigarette banned?