# Is IQOS ILUMA healthier than cigarettes? **Author:** Emily **Published:** September 16, 2025 **Original URL:** https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/is-iqos-iluma-healthier-than-cigarettes/ --- ## Is ILUMA better than smoking? With new products coming out all the time, many smokers are asking: **Is IQOS Iluma a healthier option than cigarettes?** [IQOS Iluma](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/iqos-iluma/) is a heated tobacco product that uses an induction system to warm tobacco sticks, called **TEREA sticks**, to a lower temperature than a cigarette. This is fundamentally different to a cigarette which burns tobacco to produce smoke. Want to try it yourself? Browse the [TEREA Amber Swiss](/product/terea-amber-swiss-for-iqos-iluma/) and get it delivered across the UAE the same day. The difference between heating and burning is key to the claims of reduced harm. While IQOS Iluma and [TEREA sticks](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/iqos-terea/) may reduce exposure to some harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes, **these are not risk free**. In this article we will look at the technology, the science, the health impacts and the FAQs about IQOS Iluma and TEREA sticks. ## **The Core Difference: Heating vs. Burning** ### **The Problem with Traditional Cigarettes** ![](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/problems.webp) The main health risks of traditional cigarettes come from combustion. When a cigarette is lit, tobacco burns at temperatures up to **900°C**, producing smoke that contains thousands of chemicals. Among these are substances such as **tar** and **carbon monoxide**, which are directly linked to serious health conditions like [**lung cancer**](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4080902/)**, heart disease, stroke, and chronic respiratory illnesses**. Combustion is a violent chemical process that creates new toxic compounds not naturally present in tobacco. Even though you inhale nicotine for its effects, most of the damage comes from these additional chemicals created during burning. That’s why cigarette smoke is so bad, even though nicotine itself is addictive. ### **How IQOS Iluma Works**? IQOS Iluma uses **heat-not-burn technology**. The device heats a TEREA stick to around **350°C**, which is hot enough to release nicotine and flavor as an **aerosol**, but not hot enough to burn. This avoids smoke, tar and ash. ### Manufacturer Claims vs. Reality Because of this, manufacturers claim IQOS produces **up to 95% fewer harmful chemicals** than cigarette smoke. While this is technically true for some chemicals, it’s important to note that **reducing harmful chemicals doesn’t mean reducing all health risks**. Nicotine and other compounds still pose risks and long term effects are not fully understood. ## IQOS ILUMA Device List **Available Devices** [IQOS Iluma One](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/iqos-iluma-one/) [IQOS ILUMA Standard](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/iqos-iluma-kit/) [IQOS Iluma Prime](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/iluma-prime-kit/) [Iluma I One](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/iluma-i-one/) [IQOS Iluma I Prime](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/iqos-iluma-i-prime/) [Iluma i Standard](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/iluma-i-standard/) ## **What the Science Says**? ![](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/science-e1756971641767.webp) ### **Less Harmful Chemicals** Several scientific studies, including some funded by tobacco companies, have shown that the aerosol from heated tobacco products contains **fewer harmful chemicals** than cigarette smoke. These include chemicals linked to cancer and respiratory problems. That’s why manufacturers market IQOS Iluma as a “less harmful” alternative to smoking. ### **Not Risk Free** While IQOS Iluma may expose you to fewer harmful chemicals, it’s not risk free. The key factors are: - **Nicotine Addiction:** IQOS delivers nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Nicotine increases heart rate, can affect blood pressure and has known cardiovascular effects. Nicotine dependency is a major concern. - **Other Harmful Substances:** While some toxic substances are reduced, others remain and heating can create new substances that weren’t in cigarette smoke. The aerosol is not harmless. - **No Long Term Data:** IQOS Iluma is a new product. There are no studies on users over decades so we can’t know how it will affect long term health outcomes. This combination of nicotine addiction, remaining harmful substances and unknown long term effects means while IQOS may reduce some risks, it’s not a safe alternative. > Customer Stories: Why UAE Smokers Prefer IQOS Over Cigarettes ## **Comparison of Risks** ### **Is It the Lesser of Two Evils?** For smokers who can’t or won’t quit, switching entirely from cigarettes to IQOS may reduce exposure to some harmful chemicals. In this case IQOS is “less harmful”. But the absolute risk is still there and users are not risk free. ### **Dual Use** The biggest risk comes when smokers use IQOS **alongside regular cigarettes**. This is called **dual use** and **does not reduce health risks**. In fact it may increase overall exposure to harmful chemicals and nicotine because the body gets both aerosol and smoke. ### **Passive Exposure to Aerosol** IQOS aerosol is different from cigarette smoke but it’s not clean air. It has some chemicals that can affect non-users nearby, so there’s a concern about **secondhand exposure**. While secondhand smoke from cigarettes is well known to be dangerous, IQOS aerosol still poses risks to others. ## IQOS **TEREA Products by Country** **Terea Flavors available in**[Terea Japan](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/terea-japan/)[Terea Indonesian](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/terea-indonesian/)[TEREA Kazakhstan](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/terea-kazakhstan/)[TEREA ITALY](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/terea-italy/)[TEREA Uzbekistan](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/terea-uzbekistan/)[TEREA Switzerland](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/terea-switzerland/) ## **Conclusion** IQOS Iluma heats tobacco to produce an aerosol which reduces some harmful chemicals compared to cigarette smoke. But **it’s not a safe product**. Nicotine addiction remains and users are still exposed to harmful substances. The **healthiest option** is to quit nicotine altogether. Heated tobacco products like IQOS Iluma are **not smoking cessation tools** and should not be considered safe. For those who want to quit smoking, consult a doctor always. **Note:** Buy from authentic sites like [**Terea Dubai**](https://tereaheetsdubai.ae/). They provide genuine products and deliver across the UAE ## **Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)** ### **Is IQOS Iluma less harmful?** It produces fewer harmful chemicals than cigarettes but **not harmless**. Nicotine and other harmful substances remain. ### **Is TEREA better than smoking?** Fully switching to TEREA sticks may reduce risk but **dual use increases harm**. The healthiest option is to quit nicotine completely. ### **Is one TEREA equal to one cigarette?** TEREA sticks provide similar nicotine experience but **not chemically equivalent** to cigarettes. No combustion involved. ### **Is IQOS better than cigarettes?** IQOS may reduce exposure to some harmful chemicals but **not safe**. Nicotine and other substances still pose health risks. ### **Is IQOS bad for the lungs?** Yes. The aerosol can cause **lung inflammation, oxidative stress and pulmonary issues** though risks may differ from cigarette smoke. ### **Does IQOS TEREA have tar?** No. Tar forms from burning tobacco which doesn’t happen with IQOS. The aerosol still contains **other harmful substances**. > Why TEREA Flavors Differ by Country? ## **Disclaimer** IQOS Iluma and other heated tobacco products are **not risk-free** and contain **addictive nicotine**. The healthiest option is to **quit nicotine use altogether**. **Ready to buy?** [Shop IQOS ILUMA in Dubai](/iqos-iluma/) — 1-hour delivery in Dubai & cash on delivery across the UAE.