A TEREA stick contains a prepared tobacco blend, a metal heating element coated with stainless steel, a cellulose acetate cooling plug, a filter, a front seal and a protective paper wrap. The tobacco is finely ground and specially prepared so it gives flavour when heated instead of burned. The heating element sits inside the tobacco, which is why TEREA works only in SMARTCORE induction devices such as IQOS ILUMA. Flavoured sticks add menthol or other flavourings, and Pearl sticks add a crushable capsule in the filter. Every TEREA stick contains tobacco, so every stick contains nicotine.
The parts of a TEREA stick
| Part | What it is | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Front seal | A seal on the tobacco end | Keeps tobacco inside and the device clean |
| Tobacco blend | Finely ground, specially prepared tobacco | Gives the tobacco taste and nicotine when heated |
| Heating element | A metal element coated with stainless steel | Heats the tobacco from inside when the device’s induction coil activates it |
| Cooling plug | Cellulose acetate | Cools the aerosol before it reaches the mouth |
| Filter | Mouthpiece filter | Gives the draw; holds the capsule in Pearl sticks |
| Paper wrap | Protective paper | Holds the stick together |
The tobacco blend
TEREA uses real tobacco that is ground and prepared for heating. The blend differs by flavour and by market edition. That is why Amber from Kazakhstan and Regular from Japan taste different, even though both are plain tobacco sticks. Our comparison of TEREA Kazakhstan and TEREA Japan shows how the blends differ.
The metal heating element
The heating element is the part that makes TEREA different from HEETS and cigarettes. It is a metal piece coated with stainless steel, sealed inside the tobacco. When you insert the stick, the device’s SMARTCORE induction system heats the element, and the element heats the tobacco from within.
IQOS gives clear warnings about the element:
- Do not take a TEREA stick apart; the element has sharp edges.
- A swallowed stick can cause serious internal injury. Get medical help at once.
- Keep sticks out of reach of children and pets.
Flavourings, menthol and Pearl capsules
- Tobacco sticks such as Amber, Silver and Bronze have no menthol.
- Menthol sticks such as Turquoise and Blue add menthol for cooling.
- Flavoured menthol sticks such as Purple Wave add berry, citrus or tropical notes.
- Clove blends from Indonesia add clove to the tobacco.
- Pearl sticks have a capsule in the filter that releases a second flavour when you squeeze it.
Browse the full TEREA flavour range to see every type we stock.
Nicotine
TEREA sticks contain nicotine, because they contain tobacco. Nicotine is addictive. Flavour and menthol change the taste, not the presence of nicotine. Our page on TEREA safety explains what this means.
What TEREA sticks do not contain
- No liquid or e-liquid. TEREA is not a vape.
- No battery. The battery is in the device.
- No lit tip. The tobacco is heated, not burned, so there is no ash.
Disposing of used sticks
A used TEREA stick still holds the metal element. Put it in a bin, follow local waste rules, and never take it apart. Our guide on TEREA waste and disposal has more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there metal inside a TEREA stick?
Yes. Each TEREA stick has a metal heating element coated with stainless steel, sealed inside the tobacco.
Do TEREA sticks contain real tobacco?
Yes. TEREA contains finely ground, specially prepared tobacco.
Is TEREA a vape?
No. TEREA contains tobacco, not e-liquid. It is a heated tobacco stick.
Why does TEREA not work in IQOS 3?
IQOS 3 heats sticks with a blade. TEREA needs an induction device that heats the metal element inside the stick.
Can I open a TEREA stick?
No. The metal element has sharp edges, and IQOS advises against taking sticks apart.
Ready to try a flavour?
TEREA sticks in five editions, delivered in 2 hours.
