An aerosol-generating device 2 comprises a housing 4, a chamber 28, a heater 36, an inlet 20 and an outlet. An aerosol forming article, such as a cigarette, is received in the opening 22 and the chamber comprises first and second sections 30, 32, where the first section is an article holder and the second section 32 comprises the heater. A third section may also act as an article holder. The device may comprise a compressor, such as a lid 16 or a button, to press the article against the heater. The device may comprise a band 26 to maintain the compressor in a compressed position. Also claimed is an aerosol generating system and method, including the use of a bidirectional cigarette.
