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Tag: Philip Morris

  • Korea Health Insurance Loses Appeal Against Tobacco Cos.

    Korea Health Insurance Loses Appeal Against Tobacco Cos.

    South Korea’s National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) lost its appeal seeking compensation from major tobacco companies after the Seoul High Court upheld a lower court ruling in favor of KT&G, Philip Morris Korea, and British American Tobacco Korea today (January 15). The court agreed that NHIS lacked legal standing to claim damages, ruling that insurance payouts made to smokers with cancer merely fulfilled statutory obligations and did not constitute a legally protected interest that could support a compensation claim.

    The lawsuit, originally filed in 2014, sought 55.3 billion won ($37.6 million) to recover health insurance costs for smoking-related lung and laryngeal cancer patients, arguing tobacco firms should be held liable for the financial burden imposed on the public health system. Both the lower and appellate courts rejected claims that cigarettes were defectively designed or misleadingly marketed, and found that smoking was not the sole cause of cancer. While acknowledging the growing medical costs linked to smoking—estimated at 3.8 trillion won ($2.6 billion) annually by 2023—the appellate court ordered NHIS to bear appeal costs. NHIS said it plans to take the case to the Supreme Court, framing the issue as one of public health accountability and constitutional social rights.

  • IQOS Curious X Debuts at Zamna

    IQOS Curious X Debuts at Zamna

    Philip Morris International (PMI) launched its global collaboration between IQOS and the Zamna music festival last week, according to Marvin magazine, with its IQOS Curious X platform debuting at Zamna 2026 in Tulum, Mexico. The engagement platform featured a dedicated IQOS experience zone aimed at adult smokers and adult nicotine users, aligning music and immersive environments with PMI’s smoke-free positioning.

    Leonardo de Alencar, director of smoke-free products at Philip Morris Mexico, said festivals such as Zamna provide a space to engage adult audiences and support the transition away from cigarettes, while Zamna executives described the partnership as part of a broader push for creative and cultural innovation. Zamna originated in Tulum, and this year will host additional music festivals in Egypt, Malta, and Türkiye.  

    PMI said IQOS now has more than 34 million adult users globally, including over 140,000 in Mexico.

  • Digital Connectivity, Collaboration Helping PMI Evolve in Saudi Arabia

    Digital Connectivity, Collaboration Helping PMI Evolve in Saudi Arabia

    Philip Morris International (PMI) says rapid shifts in consumer behavior are reshaping the tobacco and nicotine market in Saudi Arabia, driven by greater digital connectivity, global exposure, and rising expectations around transparency and product experience. In an interview with the Saudi Gazette, Christian Akiki, managing director of Philip Morris Saudi Arabia Trading, said Saudi consumers are increasingly informed, vocal, and open to alternatives, pushing brands to better understand local preferences while maintaining clear and authentic communication. This evolution, he said, has supported growing interest in smoke-free products such as heated tobacco devices, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes, which have become more established in the Kingdom over the past decade.

    Akiki said PMI’s smoke-free strategy in Saudi Arabia relies heavily on cooperation with regulators, particularly the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, emphasizing that progress depends on science-based dialogue and aligned oversight. He pointed to the earlier launch of nicotine pouches by Badael, a Public Investment Fund company, as evidence of regulatory openness to alternative products. PMI also highlighted the importance of local talent and market-specific strategies, noting that approaches successful in other countries do not automatically translate to Saudi Arabia. According to Akiki, Saudi Arabia’s advanced digital infrastructure and Vision 2030 agenda provide a favorable environment for innovation, positioning the market as a potential benchmark for science-driven tobacco harm reduction initiatives globally.

  • IQOS Opens Flagship Boutique in Philippines

    IQOS Opens Flagship Boutique in Philippines

    PMFTC, the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International, opened a new IQOS Boutique in Glorietta, marking its latest flagship retail space in the country. The boutique, which opened on December 19, is designed as a multi-sensory environment showcasing IQOS smoke-free technology for legal-aged nicotine users.

    PMFTC said the Glorietta location reflects its continued focus on smoke-free alternatives and premium retail experiences, featuring interactive elements such as scent and personalization zones, limited-time engraving services, and curated launch activities. Company executives said the boutique aims to provide adult smokers with a dedicated space to learn about and engage with smoke-free options as part of PMI’s broader smoke-free vision in the Philippines.

  • Romania Fines PM, Two Others, $31M for Competition Violations

    Romania Fines PM, Two Others, $31M for Competition Violations

    Romania’s Competition Council fined Philip Morris Trading and its distributors, Interbrands Orbico and Mediaposte Hit Mail, a total of RON 135.2 million ($31.1 million) for anti-competitive practices in the heated tobacco products market. The authority found that the companies had entered into agreements to fix resale prices for Philip Morris’ IQOS products, restricting competition. The decision is immediately enforceable.

    Philip Morris Trading received the largest fine of RON 79 million ($18.2 million), while Interbrands Orbico was fined RON 52 million ($12 million) and Mediaposte Hit Mail the remainder. Interbrands Orbico admitted breaching Romania’s Competition Law and benefited from a reduced penalty. The investigation concluded that resale prices, promotional discounts, and marketing campaigns were set or approved by the supplier, limiting distributors’ ability to independently determine pricing.

    Philip Morris Trading denied any wrongdoing and said its activities comply with Romanian law, adding that it is reviewing options to challenge the decision. Competition Council president Bogdan Chirițoiu said the agreements harmed consumers by undermining free pricing and competition, stressing that companies must set their commercial policies independently.

  • CTFK Accuses PMI of Targeting Youth with F1 Sponsorship

    CTFK Accuses PMI of Targeting Youth with F1 Sponsorship

    The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids criticized Philip Morris International (PMI) for its partnership with Ferrari to market Zyn nicotine pouches on Formula 1 race cars, calling it a tactic that exposes youth to tobacco marketing. Yolonda C. Richardson, president and CEO, said PMI’s claim that the sponsorship targets adults is “laughable.” Formula 1 previously said that Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) “is helping shape the rhythm of modern fandom,” but Richardson argued that F1’s audience now includes more than 4 million children aged 8 to 12, evidenced by collaborations with youth-oriented brands like Disney, Lego, and Hot Wheels.

    Richardson said that plastering Zyn logos on F1 cars associates the product with excitement and glamour, has the potential to attract millions of young people, and urged Formula 1 and its partners to end the sponsorship, calling on policymakers to prevent tobacco companies from targeting a new generation of consumers.

    When asked for comment, a spokesperson for PMI U.S. clearly disagreed.

    “Adult consumers of nicotine products do not live in a vacuum,” the spokesperson said. “They have hobbies, interests, and attend social gatherings and events—it’s vital to reach them where they are. Scuderia Ferrari HP at Formula 1 is a global platform where we can engage adult consumers worldwide with a message of choice and innovative alternatives to smoking.

    “CTFK’s allegation is nothing more than a tired, lazy, and erroneous characterization—absent of any facts. Formula 1’s and Scuderi Ferrari HP’s audience is overwhelmingly adult, and our brand presence is carefully assessed to ensure responsible marketing practices.”

  • Altria CEO Gifford to Retire in 2026; Mancuso Named Successor

    Altria CEO Gifford to Retire in 2026; Mancuso Named Successor

    Altria Group announced that CEO Billy Gifford will retire following the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 14, ending a more than 30-year career with the company. Gifford, who has led the company since 2020, plans to remain as a consultant through at least the end of 2026 to support a smooth leadership transition. Company leaders praised Gifford for steering Altria through a turbulent period and emphasized continuity in advancing the company’s “Moving Beyond Smoking” strategy under the incoming leadership team.

    The board has elected Salvatore “Sal” Mancuso, currently Altria’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, to succeed Gifford as CEO. Mancuso joined Philip Morris USA in 1990 and has held senior roles across strategy, finance, and compliance. Board Chair Kathryn McQuade said his selection followed a long-term succession process evaluating both internal and external candidates.

    Heather Newman, Altria’s chief strategy and growth officer, has been named the company’s next CFO, also effective at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Newman, who joined Altria in 1999, previously served as president and CEO of Philip Morris USA.

  • Zyn Launches 1.5 Mg Option in UK

    Zyn Launches 1.5 Mg Option in UK

    Zyn launched Zyn X-Low, its lowest-strength nicotine pouch at 1.5mg, positioning it as an entry-level option for adult users new to the category, according to Talking Retail. The product expands Zyn’s UK and Ireland portfolio and is available in spearmint, black cherry, and cool mint via grocery, convenience, and wholesale channels, including Philip Morris’ Open retailer platform.

    “Expanding the range in this way allows us to meet a broader spectrum of adult nicotine preferences, strengthen the role of modern oral products in the marketplace, and further our ambition of achieving a smoke-free future,” said Dor Matot, head of Zyn UK and Ireland.

    The launch is backed by a nationwide marketing campaign aimed at highlighting strength choice and attracting first-time pouch users.

  • Pakistan’s Pouch Market Reshaping Tobacco Landscape

    With a smoking rate of 19.5% and high instances of smoking-related illnesses, Pakistan is beginning to embrace the shift to lower-risk alternative products, including a quickly expanding nicotine pouch market that is not only good news for health advocates but is creating business opportunities as well.

    Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited recently began local production of ZYN at its Sahiwal facility, following British American Tobacco’s early entrance with Velo in 2019, solidifying Pakistan as a key growth market for modern oral nicotine products. Industry momentum is being driven by strong demand from adult tobacco users seeking alternatives to cigarettes and traditional oral products such as paan, naswar, and gutka. A recent LMIC case study cited Pakistan as having the world’s largest consumer base for nicotine pouches, noting toxicant levels far lower than in conventional oral tobacco.

    Local production is boosting jobs, tax revenue, and regulatory oversight, but authorities are expected to weigh stricter age controls, product standards, and monitoring as the category scales.

  • PMI Expands Partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP

    PMI Expands Partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP

    Philip Morris International announced an expanded partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP and the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli for the 2026 season and beyond. As part of the deal, PMI’s ZYN nicotine pouches will appear on select Scuderia Ferrari HP Formula 1 liveries, debuting at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7.

    Stefano Volpetti, PMI’s President of Smoke-Free Products, said the collaboration reflects a shared drive to innovate and engage adult consumers. “By further enhancing our partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP, we hope to accelerate the replacement of cigarettes, and we want our adult consumers of nicotine products, like ZYN, to embrace and enjoy every moment of this thrilling ride,” he said.

    Ferrari’s Lorenzo Giorgetti highlighted the partnership’s longevity and shared values, saying, “Our renewed collaboration with PMI continues a relationship that has lasted for over fifty years, grounded in scientific progress and long-term thinking.”