A holder (150) for an inhaler article (110) includes a housing (151) defining an inhaler article cavity (154). A piercing element (160) is fixed to and extends into the inhaler article cavity. A sleeve (180) is disposed within the inhaler article cavity and is configured to retain an inhaler article. The sleeve is movable along the housing longitudinal axis. A spring element (200) is configured to bias the sleeve toward the open proximal end (156) of the housing.