Heated Tobacco vs Vaping

The very short answer is no, heated tobacco isn't vaping. That’s not to say that there aren't some similarities between the two.

Heated tobacco and vaping products were introduced as replacements for traditional cigarettes, and both produce a vapor that’s designed for you to inhale. Fortunately, and because they don't burn anything, neither produces the problematic smoke or ash associated with cigarettes.

That’s where the similarities end though.

A heated tobacco product like Ploom X Advanced- which uses unique technology to heat real tobacco without burning it - is the first choice for those looking for a modern take on tobacco pleasure. Not only does Ploom X Advanced deliver on rich tobacco taste, it’s also more considerate of the people around you and potentially less risk than smoking traditional cigarettes.¹

The design of Ploom X enables you to replicate much-loved personal smoking rituals but with no matches, lighters or ashtrays required. It also feels entirely familiar because it works with cigarette-like sticks, the Winston tobacco sticks. The sticks are crafted from real tobacco and you can find more information in our blog article, “Introducing Ploom - A Unique Heated Tobacco Technology”.

On the other hand, electronic cigarettes, e-cigs or vapes (vaping devices are known by lots of different names) use a liquid which is heated until it creates a vapor. That vapor normally contains nicotine and other flavorings, although neither comes from tobacco – the nicotine is a pharmaceutical product, and the flavors are like those included in food and drinks.

Since the arrival of the first vaping devices, there has been a massive expansion in both the type and number of products on offer. From Mods to Pods and Disposables these devices combine with hundreds of choices of liquid flavors and the sheer combination of options can sometimes be overwhelming.

It’s true too, that whilst vaping devices are smoke free, they do still produce the now familiar vapor ‘cloud’ you're used to seeing – that’s because of the propylene glycol in the vape liquid. This handy blog about vaping terminology will also help answer the question “Smoking Alternative”.

The development of heated tobacco products like those created by Ploom has focused on innovating and improving the way real tobacco flavor is enjoyed in the modern world. The very fact that there is no smoke involved is just one reason that they are potentially the more discreet alternative to vaping.

Another reason is size, which as they say, matters. Ergonomically designed to sit comfortably in the palm of your hand, Ploom X Advanced is our smallest heated tobacco device to date. When you are using Ploom X Advanced there’s no smoke and less of the unpleasant tobacco smell², just a subtle aroma of tobacco so you can be confident you are being considerate of those around you – wherever you are, be that on the grocery run, heading to the train station, or working from home.

Another reason Ploom is a great alternative to vaping is because of the expanded range of Winston tobacco sticks now on offer. To meet demand for more varied flavor options there are now nine unique flavors to choose from.

You can find out more about how Ploom has been at the forefront of innovation in the History of Heated Tobacco blog. 

¹90-95% reduction on average in 9 toxic substances*

Ploom X Advanced is an innovative heated tobacco product which we believe has strong potential as a reduced-risk product compared to smoking cigarettes.

Ploom X Advanced shows, on average, a 90-95% reduction in the levels of 9 constituents recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for reduction in cigarette smoke.

Important: This does not mean that use of Ploom X Advanced is safe or eliminates health or addiction risks associated with tobacco use. No tobacco product is safe.

* Based on available machine-measured data comparing 9 harmful constituents recommended for reduction in cigarette smoke by the WHO measured in smoke of a standard reference cigarette (1R6F) and the vapor from Ploom X Advanced.

² Comparison vs. cigarette smoking. Based on sensory panel testing comparing the tobacco odor intensity of cigarette smoke and the vapor from representative samples of Ploom X Advanced heated tobacco sticks.