Burning tobacco is what makes smoking cigarettes so harmful. A lit cigarette burns at high temperatures, releasing more than 6,000 different chemicals.
Burning tobacco creates smoke. This smoke contains high levels of harmful chemicals that primarily cause smoking-related diseases like lung cancer.
The best choice any smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine entirely—but many don’t. Any adult who don’t quit can cut out burning by switching to a smoke-free alternative - free of smoke.
Alternatives that have been backed by science and made to a high standard have the potential to considerably reduce harm.
These alternatives are still addictive and not risk-free, but they are a better option than continuing to smoke.
Burning
Nicotine
Nicotine is addictive and not risk-free, but it is not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases.
Smoke
Smoke contains high levels of harmful chemicals that are the main cause of smoking-related diseases.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU REMOVE BURNING?
It’s true that humans wouldn’t be where we are today without fire—but in some areas of modern-day life, such as smoking, it’s time we stamped out burning. Thanks to new technology and the greater understanding we have at our fingertips, this is now possible.
When you remove the burning process, exposure to harm is reduced. Smoke-free products produce lower levels of harmful chemicals compared with cigarettes, because they do not burn or create harmful smoke.