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  • PMI Calls for Smoke-Free Africa 

    PMI Calls for Smoke-Free Africa 

    Philip Morris International (PMI), called for the removal of all obstacles preventing the eradication of smoking in the African continent. The call, made in line with the company’s Tobacco Harm Reduction Program, specifically seeks governments’ policies and actions that are based on current scientific findings, rather than traditions, emotions, and skepticism.

    Speaking at the 2025 Technovation Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, officials of PMI identified a lack of effective government policies, skepticism, and the absence of communication, among other things, as the bane of a smoke-free future in Africa.

    “Innovation has the power to tackle global challenges and, when paired with policy changes, can drive meaningful solutions to worldwide issues,” PMI’s Vice President, Communications and Engagement, Tommaso Di Giovanni said. “However, skepticism toward innovation often results in missed opportunities and stalls progress.” 

     “I think the question we need to ask ourselves is not whether and why, but how Africa should proceed further,” said Andrea Gontkovicova, PMI’s Vice President for Corporate Affairs in the region. “What is the role that we want to take together so that the adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking are given the information, are given the choice, and are given the products which are significantly better?”  

  • Major U.K. Supermarkets Told to Stop Tobacco Ads

    Major U.K. Supermarkets Told to Stop Tobacco Ads

    The British government has contacted Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, two of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, asking them to stop “advertising and promoting” heated tobacco products, which it says is against the law, according to the BBC. It was reported in February that both supermarkets were displaying posters and video screens showing devices that create a “nicotine-containing vapor by heating tobacco with an electric current.” At the time, both supermarkets said they believed the adverts were legal.

    Since 2002, the law has defined a tobacco product as something designed to be “smoked, sniffed, sucked or chewed.” Those supporting heated products point out that such products do not produce smoke, and Philip Morris International says it believes the Department of Health’s interpretation of the law is wrong, and says it has “complied with all applicable laws and regulations” since it launched its heated product, iQos, in 2016.

    The government has now written to the supermarkets saying that, in its opinion, the law does apply to heated products.

    A spokesperson for Morrisons said it was reviewing the letter and would respond “in due course.” Sainsbury’s said, “We remain in close contact with the government and industry partners and are planning our transition to ensure we also comply with planned incoming legislation.”

    It would likely take a court case to settle this dispute; however, currently, there is a bill at the committee stage in the House of Lords that is expected to conclusively ban all tobacco and vape advertising and sponsorship, making other legal actions futile.

  • PM Korea Introduces New “Cigarette-Type” E-Cig

    PM Korea Introduces New “Cigarette-Type” E-Cig

    Philip Morris Korea officially launched its new cigarette-style vaping device “IQOS ILUMA i ONE” on today (June 12), which improves cost-effectiveness for the company. The new product is an entry model for the Illuma i series following the ‘Iqos Illuma i Prime’ and ‘Iluma i’, which were introduced in February. The recommended consumer price is 59,000 won ($43.66).

    The iQOS Illuma i One features a compact all-in-one design and intuitive usability. The “Auto Start” function, which automatically starts heating when a dedicated “Tabaco” stick is inserted, and the “Flex Puff” function, which automatically operates so that additional inhalation can be performed up to four times for up to six minutes by analyzing individual usage patterns.

    It can be used up to 20 times continuously when fully charged, and it weighs 74 grams. 

  • EU Sees Highest Rate of Illicit Cigarettes Since 2015

    EU Sees Highest Rate of Illicit Cigarettes Since 2015

    According to the 2024 KPMG study, produced annually and commissioned by Philip Morris Products SA, smokers in the European Union consumed 38.9 billion illicit cigarettes in 2024, a 10.8% increase versus 2023, the highest level since 2015. That number accounts for 9.2% of total cigarette consumption, with governments losing as much as €14.9 billion in tax revenues at a time when many countries face intense economic pressures and rising black markets.

    PMI called for effective policymaking to counter the growing threat of illicit trade, and said it believes that steep and abrupt tax increases are exacerbating the issue and benefitting criminals who supply unregulated, untaxed, and inferior products. To combat this growing threat, PMI urges the adoption of evidence-based regulation with balanced and predictable taxation through tax calendars, continued public-private collaboration, and enhanced support of regional and national law enforcement agencies.

    “The illicit tobacco trade threatens the European economy, public health, security, and social stability; today, higher-taxed and higher-priced markets such as France and the Netherlands are especially impacted by illegally imported and counterfeit goods,” said Christos Harpantidis, PMI’s Senior Vice President, External Affairs. “Its massive socioeconomic impact negatively affects tax collection, job creation, and legitimate businesses, the engine of our European economies. The availability of cheap, unregulated cigarettes in the underground economy also impairs efforts to reduce smoking rates and achieve a smoke-free future.”

    France has the largest illicit market in Europe, reaching 18.7 billion illicit cigarettes consumed last year, 37.6% of total consumption. The Netherlands saw the largest increase in illicit cigarettes, which doubled to 17.9% of total consumption.

    A detailed overview of the results, country profiles, and methodology of the KPMG study is available here.

  • Report: Black Marketeers Continue to Evolve with Technology

    Report: Black Marketeers Continue to Evolve with Technology

    Tobacco smugglers and black marketeers are increasingly using technologies such as social media and drones to deliver cigarettes to smokers in Europe and avoid law enforcers, a report found.

    According to the 2024 KPMG study, produced annually and commissioned by Philip Morris Products SA, the illegal networks’ flexible strategies have helped illicit consumption increase 10.8% in the EU from 2023, with criminal groups shifting toward smuggling smaller packages, more often, via budget airlines, railways, and drones. They are also increasingly bypassing physical stores to sell directly to consumers on social media.

    The report showed that criminal groups are holding less inventory, which is reflected in a decrease in the size of illicit cigarette seizures as the gangs mitigate their risks and reduce the impact of raids by law enforcers. The more recent change in tactics follows another shift from 2020, when the groups moved production closer to end-markets, partly in response to the pandemic disruption, and also reducing the chance of detection.

  • PMI Ukraine Running at Full Capacity

    PMI Ukraine Running at Full Capacity

    Philip Morris Ukraine is considering exporting cigarettes manufactured at its newly built factory in the Lviv region, company CEO Maksym Barabash said during a roundtable discussion on Ukraine’s economic recovery. Ukraine Business News (UBN) said the PMI factory in Kharkiv, which closed at the outbreak of war with Russia, produced 20 billion cigarettes annually, 50% of which were exported, including to Japan.

    By launching a new $30 million factory in the Lviv region, the company sees the potential to resume exports to geographically close countries. The new factory in the Lviv region opened in May 2024 and features five production lines that this year reached their planned capacity of 10 billion cigarettes per year. This factory has become an important part of the company’s supply chain in Ukraine.

    Philip Morris Ukraine has been active in the Ukrainian market since 1994 and has invested over $750 million in the Ukrainian economy during this time, according to UBN.

  • PMI Execs Talk Financials

    PMI Execs Talk Financials

    Today (June 3), Philip Morris International presented at the 2025 dbAccess Global Consumer Conference, showcasing its strategic focus on smoke-free products amid a backdrop of both opportunities and challenges. The company reported strong growth in its smoke-free portfolio, while also managing a resilient combustible business through strategic price adjustments and cost management.

    PMI reported organic revenue growth between 6% and 8% and organic operating income growth of 10.5% to 12.5%. The company said it remains on course to have two-thirds of its revenue come from smoke-free products by 2030.

    PMI said its smoke-free product volume increased by more than 14%, and revenue from smoke-free products grew by over 20% organically. This category was led by its Zyn nicotine pouches, which saw over 50% growth in the U.S. during Q1 2025, and has plans for further expansion in Europe and other markets.

    IQOS experienced nearly 10% growth in Japan and over 7% in Europe despite regulatory challenges, with Veev holding the top position in five EU markets, focusing on profitable growth.

    Emmanuel Babeau, CFO of PMI, said the company plans to expand IQOS in the U.S. and enter new markets such as Turkey, Brazil, and India, and expects to reach a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2x by the end of 2026.

  • Survey: Two-Thirds of U.S. Healthcare Practitioners are Mistaken About Nicotine

    Survey: Two-Thirds of U.S. Healthcare Practitioners are Mistaken About Nicotine

    A new survey, funded by Philip Morris International’s U.S. affiliates (PMI U.S.), has found that 47% of U.S. healthcare practitioners—rising to 59% among medical professionals who indicate that half or more of their patients smoke cigarettes—mistakenly believe nicotine is a carcinogen, despite scientific consensus that the harms of smoking primarily stem not from nicotine but from the burning of tobacco. Another 19% are unsure. Practitioners surveyed generally agree that smoke-free products—such as nicotine pouches and other noncombustible alternatives— are addictive and not risk free but still pose less risk than cigarettes. However, the survey results also show that misconceptions about nicotine persist and are obstructing progress on tobacco harm reduction.

    Povaddo LLC fielded the survey among 1,565 medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, and mental health practitioners, across the United States between March 10 and April 5, 2025. The survey results highlighted that:

    Despite decades of research as part of tobacco control efforts, misconceptions about nicotine are pervasive among healthcare professionals and others. The survey findings demonstrate an urgent need for healthcare regulators to provide unbiased, scientifically substantiated information about nicotine and nicotine products to the healthcare community. Many clinicians report uncertainty about which products are FDA-authorized and point to a lack of up-to-date information as barriers to more frequent and informed patient guidance regarding authorized smoke-free products. This is critical at a time when an estimated 480,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related illnesses.

    “Healthcare professionals are at the heart of patient care and need reliable, science-based information to help their patients make informed choices,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI U.S. “These findings reinforce the urgent need for transparent, evidence-driven communication from the FDA and other health authorities about the full spectrum of tobacco and nicotine products. We encourage the agency to provide timely, scientifically validated guidance to healthcare practitioners on FDA-authorized smoke-free alternatives. Ensuring clinicians have access to accurate information is essential to help adults 21+ who smoke make better choices and improve public health.”

    This need for clear, science-based information is especially urgent given the survey’s findings about persistent misconceptions within the medical community that may result in incomplete or inaccurate information being shared with patients.

    “One of the most striking findings from this research is the prevalence of misinformation about nicotine—even among otherwise well-informed healthcare professionals,” said Matt Holman, vice president of U.S. scientific engagement and regulatory strategy at PMI U.S. and former director of the Office of Science at the FDA. “Addressing these misconceptions with robust, evidence-based communication from authorities like the FDA is crucial to helping providers guide their patients and support harm reduction.”

    PMI has invested more than $14 billion globally in innovative smoke-free products and remains committed to giving adults 21+ access to FDA-authorized better alternatives.

    Read the full findings of the Tobacco Harm Reduction: U.S. Medical Professionals Survey (2025) at https://www.pmi.com/us/medical-professionals-see-greater-role-for-FDA. Access PMI’s science at www.pmiscience.com and fact sheet on nicotine here.

  • PMI India Pushing T&T to Curb Illicit Trade

    PMI India Pushing T&T to Curb Illicit Trade

    Philip Morris International Inc.’s India affiliate, IPM India, today hailed India’s decision to roll out pack-level Track and Trace (T&T) as a game-changing move against illicit tobacco trade and a major step toward modernizing regulatory enforcement. Approved under Section 148A of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, this is a move to protect revenue, tighten enforcement, and bring greater transparency and accountability to India’s tobacco market. Starting with cigarette packs, the government has chosen a high-impact strategy to curb illicit tobacco trade. The proposed mechanism may incorporate Unique Identification Markings on packs, which will enable enforcement agencies to easily distinguish tax-paid products from illegal ones—strengthening oversight across retail shelves, supply chains, and field operations. The proposed T&T mechanism will be a practical, real-world solution designed for immediate impact—and a critical foundation for a more modern, technology-driven regulatory system.

    Similar systems have been successfully deployed in UK, Russia, Jordan, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), where PMI has worked with national authorities to build scalable, locally adapted traceability frameworks. Across all markets, the outcome have been consistent: better visibility, stronger compliance, and measurable reductions in illicit trade.

    “This is a landmark reform and a visionary step towards a cleaner, more modern, and a transparent market,” Navaneel Kar, Managing Director, IPM India said. “With thoughtful execution, India’s T&T system can reshape the fight against illicit tobacco trade—boosting public trust, strengthening government revenues, and accelerating the modernization of enforcement practices. Eliminating illicit tobacco trade has been a longstanding priority for us and remains integral to our broader efforts in driving operational excellence and building a sustainable future. PMI has long invested in technologies that protect supply chain integrity globally, and we are committed to partnering with the Indian government to make this initiative a success.”

  • Survey: Two-Thirds of U.S. Healthcare Practitioners are Mistaken About Nicotine

    Survey: Two-Thirds of U.S. Healthcare Practitioners are Mistaken About Nicotine

    A new survey, funded by Philip Morris International’s U.S. affiliates (PMI U.S.), has found that 47% of U.S. healthcare practitioners—rising to 59% among medical professionals who indicate that half or more of their patients smoke cigarettes—mistakenly believe nicotine is a carcinogen, despite scientific consensus that the harms of smoking primarily stem not from nicotine but from the burning of tobacco. Another 19% are unsure. Practitioners surveyed generally agree that smoke-free products—such as nicotine pouches and other noncombustible alternatives— are addictive and not risk free but still pose less risk than cigarettes. However, the survey results also show that misconceptions about nicotine persist and are obstructing progress on tobacco harm reduction.

    Povaddo LLC fielded the survey among 1,565 medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, and mental health practitioners, across the United States between March 10 and April 5, 2025. The survey results highlighted that:

    Despite decades of research as part of tobacco control efforts, misconceptions about nicotine are pervasive among healthcare professionals and others. The survey findings demonstrate an urgent need for healthcare regulators to provide unbiased, scientifically substantiated information about nicotine and nicotine products to the healthcare community. Many clinicians report uncertainty about which products are FDA-authorized and point to a lack of up-to-date information as barriers to more frequent and informed patient guidance regarding authorized smoke-free products. This is critical at a time when an estimated 480,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related illnesses.

    “Healthcare professionals are at the heart of patient care and need reliable, science-based information to help their patients make informed choices,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI U.S. “These findings reinforce the urgent need for transparent, evidence-driven communication from the FDA and other health authorities about the full spectrum of tobacco and nicotine products. We encourage the agency to provide timely, scientifically validated guidance to healthcare practitioners on FDA-authorized smoke-free alternatives. Ensuring clinicians have access to accurate information is essential to help adults 21+ who smoke make better choices and improve public health.”

    This need for clear, science-based information is especially urgent given the survey’s findings about persistent misconceptions within the medical community that may result in incomplete or inaccurate information being shared with patients.

    “One of the most striking findings from this research is the prevalence of misinformation about nicotine—even among otherwise well-informed healthcare professionals,” said Matt Holman, vice president of U.S. scientific engagement and regulatory strategy at PMI U.S. and former director of the Office of Science at the FDA. “Addressing these misconceptions with robust, evidence-based communication from authorities like the FDA is crucial to helping providers guide their patients and support harm reduction.”

    PMI has invested more than $14 billion globally in innovative smoke-free products and remains committed to giving adults 21+ access to FDA-authorized better alternatives.

    Read the full findings of the Tobacco Harm Reduction: U.S. Medical Professionals Survey (2025) at https://www.pmi.com/us/medical-professionals-see-greater-role-for-FDA.

    Access PMI’s science at www.pmiscience.com and fact sheet on nicotine here.