Those are very popular in Eastern Europe at least. They became popular when most of the countries forbid smoking inside. Marlboro, the manufacturer of these, created the alternative of heated tabacco instead of burning so owners could not forbid them. Essentilally you can smoke everywhere you want except where there is an antielectronic smoking sign. There is another brand, Glo by Kent(I think) doing a similar concept. They do smell bad but not as bad as regular cigs while also having the smell dissapear in minutes rather than days. Also, they are cheaper than regular cigs. DO NOT try to smoke them by lightning them btw.