Philip Morris Device Criticized by Imperial Researcher

  • `There's a lot of black crud' after using it, says Imperial
  • PMI `disappointed' rival disparages heated tobacco device
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The tobacco industry’s united front is being tested as Imperial Tobacco Group Plc takes a swipe at Philip Morris International Inc.’s new cigarette alternative.

The Marlboro maker claims its “iQOS” product -- a black pen-shaped device that heats sticks containing tobacco -- could potentially reduce risks compared with smoking because combustion isn’t involved. Imperial researchers tested the so-called “heat-not-burn” gadget and found evidence that some of the processes within a burning cigarette are still occurring.