An inhaler system comprising: an inhaler article comprising a body defining an inhaler outer surface, the body extending along an inhaler longitudinal axis (L A) from a mouthpiece end to a distal end an inhaler length; and a piercing article comprising: a cylindrical housing, defining a cylindrical housing outer surface and a cylindrical housing inner surface, the cylindrical housing extending along a cylindrical housing longitudinal axis (L A ') from a distal end to an open proximal end a cylindrical housing length, the cylindrical housing open proximal end is configured to receive the distal end of the inhaler article; and a piercing element contained within and fixed to the cylindrical housing or distal end, the piercing element extending along a piercing element longitudinal axis (L A ") from a fixed distal end to a piercing end a piercing element length, the piercing element is recessed from the open proximal end a recessed distance; wherein the cylindrical housing inner surface has an open proximal end diameter and a distal end diameter being less than the open proximal end diameter; and wherein the cylindrical housing inner surface diameter tapers down from the open proximal end diameter to the distal end diameter. an inhaler article comprising a body defining an inhaler outer surface, the body extending along an inhaler longitudinal axis (L A) from a mouthpiece end to a distal end an inhaler length; and a piercing article comprising: a cylindrical housing, defining a cylindrical housing outer surface and a cylindrical housing inner surface, the cylindrical housing extending along a cylindrical housing longitudinal axis (L A ') from a distal end to an open proximal end a cylindrical housing length, the cylindrical housing open proximal end is configured to receive the distal end of the inhaler article; and a piercing element contained within and fixed to the cylindrical housing or distal end, the piercing element extending along a piercing element longitudinal axis (L A ") from a fixed distal end to a piercing end a piercing element length, the piercing element is recessed from the open proximal end a recessed distance; wherein the cylindrical housing inner surface has an open proximal end diameter and a distal end diameter being less than the open proximal end diameter; and wherein the cylindrical housing inner surface diameter tapers down from the open proximal end diameter to the distal end diameter. a cylindrical housing, defining a cylindrical housing outer surface and a cylindrical housing inner surface, the cylindrical housing extending along a cylindrical housing longitudinal axis (L A ') from a distal end to an open proximal end a cylindrical housing length, the cylindrical housing open proximal end is configured to receive the distal end of the inhaler article; and a piercing element contained within and fixed to the cylindrical housing or distal end, the piercing element extending along a piercing element longitudinal axis (L A ") from a fixed distal end to a piercing end a piercing element length, the piercing element is recessed from the open proximal end a recessed distance; wherein the cylindrical housing inner surface has an open proximal end diameter and a distal end diameter being less than the open proximal end diameter; and wherein the cylindrical housing inner surface diameter tapers down from the open proximal end diameter to the distal end diameter.