10 Years of Change and Development - That’s IQOS

Ten years ago, the first IQOS device was introduced to the Japanese market, marking PMI’s initial steps toward a smoke-free future. Soon after, this innovative Heat-Not-Burn technology expanded to various markets, including Georgia.

For the past four years, together with legal-age smokers in Georgia we embarked on the journey toward a smoke-free future.

Let’s take a brief look at the history of IQOS.

How Was IQOS Created?

In 2008, a research and development center focused on smoking alternatives was established in Switzerland. Shortly thereafter, a center opened in Singapore, and today, these centers are located in more than 400 countries and continues on developing the new smoke-free technologies.

It was in these centers that Philip Morris International developed its first Heat-Not-Burn device.

In 2014, PMI's first commercial Heat-Not-Burn device was launched in Japan and soon after in Italy.

In 2015, the product was officially named IQOS and became available in five markets: Japan, Italy, Ukraine, Switzerland, and Russia.

In 2017, IQOS received the GOOD DESIGN® award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and the Metropolitan Arts Press.

In Georgia, IQOS was launched on July 27, 2020, with four branded stores.

IQOS is the only heating tobacco system that has passed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) modified risk product authorization and received a product marketing permit for IQOS as a modified risk with the following information:

  - The IQOS system heats tobacco but does not burn it.

  - This significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals.

  - Scientific studies have shown that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system significantly reduces your body’s   exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals.

*Source: FDA decision.

Date July 7, 2020.

Today, together with the 27.4 million legal-age IQOS users we continue our journey towards the smoke-free future.