HNB basics
What Is Heat-Not-Burn (HNB)? A Plain-English Guide
By KOKEN Editorial Team · Published · Updated · 3 min read
Heat-not-burn (HNB) is a product category in which an electronic device heats a specially made stick below the temperature of combustion, so the material releases an aerosol instead of being burned to create smoke. The stick can contain tobacco or, in herbal versions, plant material with no tobacco or nicotine.
How heat-not-burn works
A conventional cigarette is lit at the tip, and the tobacco burns. Heat-not-burn takes a different approach: a battery-powered device warms a heating element, usually a blade, pin or surrounding chamber, and the user inserts a stick into it. The element raises the temperature of the stick's filling enough to release flavour and aerosol, but the device is designed to stay below the point where the material combusts.
Because there is no flame, there is no ash and no burning ember. When the session ends, the used stick is removed and discarded, and the device is recharged or reused for the next stick.
The two parts of every HNB product
| Component | What it does | Who typically makes it |
|---|---|---|
| Device | Holds the battery, control electronics and heating element; controls temperature and session length. | Electronics manufacturers and device brands |
| Stick (consumable) | Contains the tobacco or herbal filling, filter segments and wrapping paper; delivers flavour and aerosol. | Stick and granules manufacturers such as KOKEN |
Sticks must be physically and thermally compatible with the device they are used in. That is why buyers planning a range should think about the device and stick together from the start.
What is inside an HNB stick?
Looking from the tip to the mouth end, a typical heated stick contains a filling section, one or more cooling or support segments, and a filter, all wrapped in paper. The filling is the part that matters most for taste. It is commonly made from HNB granules or a cast sheet of processed material, combined with humectants that help produce aerosol when heated, and flavourings.
- Tobacco sticks: the filling is based on processed tobacco. See KOKEN's heated tobacco stick range.
- Herbal sticks: the filling is based on non-tobacco plant material, and can be made with zero nicotine. See KOKEN's herbal stick range.
Tobacco HNB vs herbal HNB
Both formats work with the same heat-not-burn principle, and both can be offered in a range of flavours. The difference is the base material. Herbal sticks give brands a tobacco-free line that can sit alongside a tobacco range, which is useful in markets where regulations or consumer demand differ between the two. Our guide to herbal HNB sticks covers this in more detail.
Is heat-not-burn regulated?
Yes. Most countries regulate heated tobacco products, and many also have rules on herbal smoking or heating products. Requirements can cover product registration, ingredients, health warnings, packaging, taxation and where products can be sold. Some markets restrict or ban HNB products entirely. Anyone importing or distributing HNB products should confirm local rules first; our import compliance checklist is a good starting point.
HNB products are not risk free and are intended for adults only. Heating rather than burning does not make a product safe.