Appratus for heating smokable material

Apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising:

• a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising smokable material;
• a thermal insulator comprising:
• an outer wall;
• an inner wall between the heating element and the outer wall, wherein the inner wall comprises a first portion and a second portion that are heated independently from one another;
• and
• an insulation region bound by the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the insulating region is evacuated to a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulating region.

A thermal insulator for use in apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the thermal insulator comprising:

• an inner wall;
• an outer wall that extends only partially along a length of the inner wall;
• and
• an insulation region bound by the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the insulation region is evacuated to a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulation region.