WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. International Trade Commission will investigate certain tobacco heating elements and components following a complaint filed by RJ Reynolds' vaping and tobacco units, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

The ITC said it had not yet made any decision on the merits of the case and would hold a hearing, making its "final determination ... at the earliest practicable time."

RJ Reynolds Tobacco Holding Inc is owned by Reynolds American Inc, whose parent company is British American Tobacco PLC (NYSE: BATS).

(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Andrew heavens)