The cigarettes (Heets) that go into PMI's IQOS do not contain 0.5 mg of nicotine, as the manufacturer keeps saying, but 4 mg, eight times as much.This is according to research by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism.Philip Morris misleads its customers, the IQOS is much more addictive than thought.According to tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris International (PMI), the IQOS, a heat-not-burn product that does not burn but heats a specially made cigarette (called Heets), is much less harmful to health than a traditional cigarette.But new research from The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) suggests that an IQOS cigarette contains more than 4mg of nicotine, eight times the amount Philip Morris says it contains.This makes the IQOS much more addictive than the manufacturer claims in its marketing.Nicotine is also a substance that can have harmful effects on health and cause, for example, cardiac arrhythmias.The IQOS currently accounts for 2.5 percent of the European tobacco market.According to Philip Morris itself, it concerns about 20 million users.The tobacco manufacturer tries to increase that number as quickly as possible by using all kinds of marketing tricks.The company says it is striving for a smoke-free future.It does this not by immediately shutting down the tobacco factories, but by encouraging smokers to switch to the IQOS.The device has been under fire for some time.Independent research by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has shown that its use is still harmful to health, because it releases carcinogenic substances.In addition, the claim that the mass use of the IQOS will ensure a smoke-free future is incorrect, because heating a cigarette also produces smoke, according to research from the University of Nottingham.Now The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TIJ) adds that it contains more nicotine than the manufacturer claims.TBIJ participated in several webcasts in which PMI advertised the IQOS.In eleven countries, the nicotine level of 0.5 mg was mentioned by PMI employees.In two countries, employees stated that it was the nicotine content in the emission (in the smoke) and nine of them said it was the content in the Heets cigarette.The same statement can be found on Dutch websites (Novusfumus, many interesting).TBIJ then had a test carried out to check this.That test showed that there is more than 4 mg in a heatstick, eight times as much as claimed.TBIJ notes that there are currently no international standards that apply to an IQOS test, which has created a gray area in which it is not clear how a manufacturer has tested and how this can be presented to the consumer or must be.According to TBIJ, Philip Morris got his 0.5mg nicotine by doing a modified version of the ISO test used for traditional cigarettes to determine what substances are in cigarette smoke.That test has been under fire for some time, because tobacco manufacturers, including Philip Morris, have been involved in the development of that test method and have also made holes in the filters of their cigarettes through which smoking machines draw in extra air.That air dilutes the smoke, so that fewer harmful substances are measured than a smoker, who covers the holes with his fingers and lips, actually ingests.For example, the industry manipulates the legally required measurement method, which is why they speak of 'cheated cigarettes'.With a test method that more closely approximates the smoking behavior of a smoker (with taped holes and adjusted intensity and frequency of the puffs), much higher than the legal maximum amounts of toxins tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide are measured.Smoking Prevention Youth, together with the municipality of Amsterdam and fourteen other health organizations, is trying to negotiate in court that the maximum permitted amounts of poisons are maintained with such an alternative test method.Asked for a response, Philip Morris told TBIJ that the agency had measured the nicotine in the cigarette and not in the emission (the smoke).But TBIJ states that it also measured the smoke and that it contained 1.2 mg of nicotine.A figure that PMI recognized from its own research.BTIJ: “But we couldn't find any evidence that PMI ever used this number in its PR.”Receive an overview of the latest news on TabakNee every two weeks.We solemnly promise: no spam!TabakNee investigates the practices of the tobacco lobby.Will you help?Or deposit yourself on account number NL13 ABNA 0406 559 821 in the name of the Youth Smoke Prevention Foundation in Amsterdam.Youth Smoking Prevention Foundation is registered as a Public Benefit Organization (RSIN: 820635315 | Chamber of Commerce: 34333760).Sick of Smoking is the grassroots organization that wants to end the criminal practices of the tobacco industry.Do you have information about the tobacco industry, its activities or its lobby?Tip the editors!Your information will be treated confidentially.Click here to send us an email.