What heated tobacco products are and how they differ from vaping

Heated tobacco products warm processed tobacco sticks or capsules instead of burning loose tobacco. This distinction matters because the product experience, regulatory classification, supply chain, and consumer expectations are different from e-cigarettes.

How the device works

Most devices use a blade, pin, induction chamber, or surrounding heater to raise the tobacco stick to a controlled temperature. The goal is to release an aerosol without open combustion.

Why readers compare it with vaping

Both categories are marketed as alternatives to cigarettes, but vaping uses liquid while heated tobacco uses real tobacco substrate. For distributors and retailers, that difference affects import paperwork, tax treatment, and product education.