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Tag: Philip Morris

  • FDA Schedules TPSAC Review of ZYN Applications

    FDA Schedules TPSAC Review of ZYN Applications

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a January 22, 2026, virtual meeting of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) to review modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) applications submitted by Swedish Match USA for 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products. These products—already authorized for sale through the PMTA pathway in January 2025—include flavors such as Cool Mint, Citrus, Coffee, Peppermint, and Wintergreen, each in 3 mg and 6 mg strengths. The company is seeking permission to market the pouches with the claim: “Using ZYN instead of cigarettes puts you at a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.”

    Under federal law, MRTP applications must demonstrate that a product, as actually used by consumers, reduces individual health risks and benefits overall population health. TPSAC’s review will focus on scientific evidence regarding ZYN’s relative health risks, consumer comprehension of the proposed claim, and the potential public health impact of granting a modified risk order. The meeting will be held virtually, open to the public, captioned, and recorded.

    Public comments may be submitted to Docket No. FDA-2025-N-0835 through January 21, 2026, with comments received by January 7 provided directly to TPSAC. The FDA is also inviting individuals to request oral presentation slots during the meeting’s public comment period. Redacted MRTP application materials are available on the FDA’s website, and the agency will consider all public input and TPSAC recommendations before issuing a final decision.

  • PM Korea’s IQOS ‘Seletti Edition’ Sells Out in First Week

    PM Korea’s IQOS ‘Seletti Edition’ Sells Out in First Week

    Philip Morris Korea announced that its limited edition IQOS ILUMA i × Seletti collection, launched in collaboration with Italian design brand Seletti, sold out nationwide within a week. Pre-sales began October 28 for IQOS Club Platinum and Gold members, with the official release on October 30 through IQOS.com and directly operated stores. The edition, featuring black and gold designs with Seletti’s signature patterns, quickly became a collector’s item, with the Prime model selling out on the first day of pre-sale.

    Philip Morris Korea highlighted that the strong response reflects consumer appreciation for the brand’s design sensibility and value, not just sales performance. The success follows earlier limited editions like Minera, Neon, and Steve Aoki, underscoring IQOS’ ongoing strategy of blending style with technology to enhance consumer experience.

  • European Patent Office Sides with Nicoventures on Vape Dispute

    European Patent Office Sides with Nicoventures on Vape Dispute

    The European Patent Office’s Board of Appeal upheld British American Tobacco subsidiary Nicoventures Trading Ltd.’s vape patent EP3354144, rejecting a challenge by Philip Morris Products S.A., according to Law360. The board found that the patent’s method—activating a heater based on predetermined parameters independent of puff counts—was “inventive.” It also ruled that the patent’s description of vaporization without combustion and general thermal insulation was sufficiently supported by the original filing.

    Additionally, the board clarified that the term “predetermined period of use” referred to a fixed timeframe, not puff duration, distinguishing it from prior patents. All of Philip Morris’s objections were dismissed.

  • FDA Establishes Closing Date for Public Comments on MRTP Renewal Applications for IQOS Products

    FDA Establishes Closing Date for Public Comments on MRTP Renewal Applications for IQOS Products

    Today (November 6, 2025), FDA established the closing date for the public comment period on the modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) renewal applications submitted by Philip Morris Products S.A. for several IQOS heated tobacco products. Public comments on these applications must be submitted to the appropriate docket by 11:59 p.m. ET on December 8, 2025, to ensure they are considered by FDA:

    The application materials, redacted in accordance with applicable laws, can be found on FDA’s website. Before making a final determination on an MRTP application, FDA takes into consideration all relevant information available to the agency, including public comments and recommendations from the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC).

    FDA held a TPSAC meeting to discuss these renewal applications on October 7, 2025. The public was able to attend virtually and present comments to the committee. Materials from the meeting are available on FDA’s website.

    For the latest updates on any MRTP applications under scientific review, sign up to receive email alertsExternal Link Disclaimer. 

  • Massachusetts Weighs Philip Morris Punitive Damages Appeal

    Massachusetts Weighs Philip Morris Punitive Damages Appeal

    The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is reviewing Armand Fontaine v. Philip Morris USA Inc. (Docket No. SJC-13778), a case that in 2022 produced one of the largest tobacco verdicts in state history after a Middlesex County jury awarded $8 million in compensatory damages and $1 billion in punitive damages. The trial court later reduced the punitive award to $56 million.

    Philip Morris appealed, saying the massive award showed the jury was “inflamed beyond reason,” that punitive damages should require a clear and convincing evidence standard or a separate (bifurcated) trial phase, and that guardrails should be enacted to prevent “nuclear verdicts” (awards of more than $10 million).

    Law360’s Chris Villani wrote that the “court appeared unreceptive to arguments” for imposing new procedural rules, noting existing safeguards such as judicial review and remittitur already limit excessive awards. A decision is expected to clarify how Massachusetts courts handle punitive damages going forward.

  • PMI to Restructure Organization in 2026

    PMI to Restructure Organization in 2026

    Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) further detailed its new organizational structure aimed at accelerating its transition to a smoke-free company. The changes establish two primary business units, PMI International and PMI U.S., along with its wellness unit, Aspeya, which will all report to CEO Jacek Olczak. The current four geographic segments will be replaced with three reportable segments: International Smoke-Free, International Combustibles, and U.S., with financial reporting under the new structure starting Q1 2026.

    First announced with its third-quarter financials, the changes will become effective January 1, 2026. Frederic de Wilde will serve as CEO of PMI International, and Stacey Kennedy will continue as CEO of PMI U.S.

    The restructuring reflects PMI’s focus on expanding smoke-free alternatives—which now account for 41% of the company’s net revenues—while maintaining growth in its combustibles business and exploring wellness and healthcare opportunities.

  • PMI Targets Net-Zero Emissions by 2040

    PMI Targets Net-Zero Emissions by 2040

    Philip Morris International released its Climate Transition Plan 2025, presenting an updated and integrated strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2040. The plan includes near-term targets for 2030, such as a 50% reduction in direct emissions (scopes 1 and 2) and significant cuts in supply chain emissions (scope 3). PMI plans to achieve carbon neutrality for its direct operations by the end of 2025, using measures like renewable energy, energy efficiency, low-carbon fleets, and supplier engagement. The company emphasizes that sustainability and business growth can go hand-in-hand.

    “By focusing on material climate risks and opportunities, implementing cost-effective interventions, and maintaining robust disclosure practices, we are strengthening PMI’s ability to deliver sustained, long-term value,” said CEO Jacek Olczak.

  • Philip Morris Italia Under Investigation for ‘Smoke-Free’ Language

    Philip Morris Italia Under Investigation for ‘Smoke-Free’ Language

    Italy’s competition authority launched an investigation into Philip Morris Italia for allegedly misleading advertising related to its “smoke-free” electronic cigarettes. The probe, announced today (October 15), centers on the company’s use of phrases such as “a smoke-free future” and “smoke-free products,” which regulators say could mislead consumers into believing the products are harmless.

    The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM), accompanied by financial police, searched two Philip Morris offices in Italy as part of the inquiry. The watchdog said that while these products do not involve combustion, they can still pose health risks and cause addiction.

    “Philip Morris Italia believes it has always acted in full compliance with applicable regulations,” a PMI spokesperson said regarding the proceedings initiated the AGCM. “The company is confident that its communication is factual, truthful, and fully consistent with both Italian and European legislation, which associate the absence of smoke with the absence of combustion. Italian Legislative Decree No. 6/2016, which transposes EU Directive 2014/40/EU, defines in Article 2, paragraph 5, a ‘smoke-free tobacco product’ (‘smokeless tobacco product’ in the English version of the directive) as ‘a tobacco product that does not involve a combustion process.’

    “The pursuit of a smoke-free future has been the primary global objective of Philip Morris International for nearly a decade—an ambition that the Italian affiliates have been working toward for years, alongside an integrated ‘Made in Italy’ value chain involving 44,000 people.

    “The company will continue to cooperate with the Authority throughout the proceedings to demonstrate the full legitimacy of its actions.”

    The move follows similar action in France earlier this year, where Philip Morris was fined €500,000 for promoting its IQOS heated tobacco device as safer under the classification of harm reduction.

  • Philip Morris to Host Q3 2025 Results Webcast

    Philip Morris to Host Q3 2025 Results Webcast

    Philip Morris International announced it will hold a live audio webcast on Tuesday, October 21, at 9 a.m. ET to discuss its third-quarter and first nine-month results, which will be released at approximately 7 a.m. the same day. The webcast, hosted by CFO Emmanuel Babeau, will feature a review of financial results and a Q&A session with the investment community in listen-only mode. The webcast can be accessed here or via PMI’s Investor Relations App for mobile devices. Slides, script, and recording will be available for one year following the event.

  • PM Japan Announces Two New Launches

    PM Japan Announces Two New Launches

    Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) announced it will launch the IQOS ILUMA i Galaxy Blue Model on October 29, a limited-edition device inspired by the “mysteries and infinite possibilities of the universe.” The ¥6,980 ($46) model features a deep-space blue charger with a starry gradient design. PMJ’s marketing director, Daniel Sevsik, said the edition was created to reinforce IQOS ILUMA i’s image of “innovation and future possibilities.”

    The company will also release its TEREA Clear Regular on October 27, a “smooth and balanced tobacco stick” for the IQOS ILUMA and ILUMA i series. Sevsik said the regular flavor segment has growth potential, as users tend to be more stable than menthol and flavored product consumers. The new variant becomes the sixth regular option in the TEREA lineup.