An apparatus arranged to heat but not burn smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a first opening at a first end through which a consumable article containing smokable material can be removably inserted into the apparatus; a collar defining or surrounding the first opening, wherein the collar comprises a plurality of ridges arranged circumferentially around the first opening and which project into the first opening, at least one heating arrangement arranged within the housing for heating smokable material within the consumable article when in use; a hollow chamber positioned between the first opening and the at least one heating arrangement and surrounding at least a portion of the consumable article when the consumable article is inserted into the apparatus, wherein an inner wall of the hollow chamber and the at least a portion of the consumable article define an air gap therebetween; wherein the hollow chamber comprises a first open end and wherein the hollow chamber is arranged so that the first open end is positioned towards the first opening of the apparatus; wherein the hollow chamber comprises a second open end and wherein the hollow chamber is arranged so that the second open end is positioned towards the heating arrangement; a control circuitry configured and arranged to control the heating of the smokable material in the consumable article; and a power source comprising a battery, wherein the battery is electrically coupled to the heating arrangement to supply electrical power when required and under control of the control circuitry to heat the smokable material in the consumable article to volatise the smokable material without causing the smokable material to burn; characterised in that a ventilation pathway is defined by a first neighbouring pair of said plurality of ridges; the first open end connects to and is supported by the collar; the hollow chamber comprises a gripping section arranged to grip the consumable article when the consumable article is inserted in the apparatus, the gripping section comprising a plurality of ridges spaced apart circumferentially around an inner surface of the hollow chamber, each of said plurality of ridges arranged for contacting the consumable article so that the consumable article is gripped between said plurality of ridges. a housing having a first opening at a first end through which a consumable article containing smokable material can be removably inserted into the apparatus; a collar defining or surrounding the first opening, wherein the collar comprises a plurality of ridges arranged circumferentially around the first opening and which project into the first opening, at least one heating arrangement arranged within the housing for heating smokable material within the consumable article when in use; a hollow chamber positioned between the first opening and the at least one heating arrangement and surrounding at least a portion of the consumable article when the consumable article is inserted into the apparatus, wherein an inner wall of the hollow chamber and the at least a portion of the consumable article define an air gap therebetween; wherein the hollow chamber comprises a first open end and wherein the hollow chamber is arranged so that the first open end is positioned towards the first opening of the apparatus; wherein the hollow chamber comprises a second open end and wherein the hollow chamber is arranged so that the second open end is positioned towards the heating arrangement; a control circuitry configured and arranged to control the heating of the smokable material in the consumable article; and a power source comprising a battery, wherein the battery is electrically coupled to the heating arrangement to supply electrical power when required and under control of the control circuitry to heat the smokable material in the consumable article to volatise the smokable material without causing the smokable material to burn; characterised in that a ventilation pathway is defined by a first neighbouring pair of said plurality of ridges; the first open end connects to and is supported by the collar; the hollow chamber comprises a gripping section arranged to grip the consumable article when the consumable article is inserted in the apparatus, the gripping section comprising a plurality of ridges spaced apart circumferentially around an inner surface of the hollow chamber, each of said plurality of ridges arranged for contacting the consumable article so that the consumable article is gripped between said plurality of ridges.