Member Article

Philip Morris International's IQOS receives prestigious design award

Philip Morris International Inc. has been awarded a Good Design® Award for its innovative heated tobacco product IQOS.

IQOS, which has been recognized for its sleek, customer-centric design and cutting edge technology, was designed in collaboration with consultants Design Partners. The device heats tobacco rather than burning it to generate a vapor whose chemical composition is substantially different than cigarette smoke. IQOS was a winner in the Electronics category of the prestigious Global Awards Program for Design Excellence and Design Innovation awarded by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design in December 2017.

One of the oldest awards for design excellence globally, the GOOD DESIGN® Awards recognize the most innovative industrial, product and graphic designs. The awards have been bestowed each year since 1950 by the Chicago Athenaeum and the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies.

IQOS, PMI’s most advanced smoke-free product, is the result of over a decade of research and development. It uses sophisticated electronics to generate a nicotine-containing vapor by heating the tobacco to a temperature far below that of combustion. A unique heating blade containing gold and platinum and a sophisticated firmware ensure that the tobacco is heated and not burnt, and as a result, the IQOS vapor contains significantly lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarette smoke. IQOS features a slim, light design with high quality finishes and a distinct shape enhancing the sensorial and ritual experience.

Bertrand Bonvin, PMI’s Senior Vice President for IQOS Design and User Experience, comments: “It is an honor to be recognized among the industry leaders in innovation,” he said. “When we created IQOS, we wanted to provide an intuitive and satisfying experience for men and women who smoke looking for a better alternative to cigarettes. Already nearly 5 million men and women have abandoned cigarettes and switched to IQOS. Being recognized for the first time by the GOOD DESIGN® Awards is a notable achievement in our journey towards a smoke-free future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sandra Griffiths .