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Tag: pmi

  • PM Italia Fined €7M for ‘Smoke-Free’ Language  

    PM Italia Fined €7M for ‘Smoke-Free’ Language  

    Italy’s competition authority fined Philip Morris Italia €7 million for allegedly misleading consumers through marketing claims related to its smoke-free and non-combustible tobacco products. The regulator said an investigation launched following a complaint from Italy’s Health Ministry found that terms such as “smoke-free,” “smoke-free products,” and references to a “smoke-free future” could lead consumers, including minors, to believe heated tobacco and e-vapor products are harmless or less harmful than conventional cigarettes, despite scientific evidence that does not conclusively support such claims.

    Philip Morris Italia rejected the findings and said it will appeal, arguing that the terminology complies with Italian and European Union regulations and accurately distinguishes products that do not involve combustion from traditional cigarettes.

  • PMI Declares $1.47 Quarterly Dividend

    PMI Declares $1.47 Quarterly Dividend

    The board of directors of Philip Morris International Inc. today (June 11) declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.47 per common share, payable on July 20, to shareholders of record as of June 25. The ex-dividend date is June 25. For more details, visit www.pmi.com/dividend.

  • Dutch Report Raises Concerns Over Big Tobacco Getting into Cannabis  

    Dutch Report Raises Concerns Over Big Tobacco Getting into Cannabis  

    A new investigative report by Investico, De Groene Amsterdammer, and NU.nl is intensifying scrutiny of tobacco-linked investment in the Netherlands’ regulated cannabis experiment, highlighting concerns over industry influence in emerging legal cannabis markets. The report cites ownership ties linking Altria Group to CanAdelaar, the largest licensed cannabis grower in the Dutch pilot program, through its stake in Cronos Group, which agreed in December 2025 to acquire CanAdelaar for €57.5 million.

    The investigation draws on interviews with addiction and tobacco policy experts who warn that major tobacco companies are increasingly treating cannabis as part of a broader diversification strategy, alongside nicotine and vapor products. Researchers cited in the report raise concerns about industry-funded studies and communications shaping cannabis narratives, including work linked to subsidiaries associated with Philip Morris International. The article frames the issue as part of a wider debate over how established tobacco firms may influence regulatory frameworks and scientific discourse as governments test legalized cannabis supply models.

  • Zyn Expanding Flavors in the Philippines

    Zyn Expanding Flavors in the Philippines

    Philip Morris International expanded its Zyn nicotine pouch portfolio in the Philippines with the introduction of new variants, including Cool Breeze in a 1.5mg strength and the Tropical flavor in 3mg and 6mg strengths. The update broadens the brand’s existing strength architecture in the market, which now spans 1.5mg, 3mg and 6mg across multiple flavors listed on its official Philippines website.

    According to the company, the 1.5mg Cool Breeze variant is positioned as a lower-strength option aimed at adult nicotine consumers who are new to nicotine pouches, while higher strengths will continue to serve existing users. The Tropical flavor is currently available in 3mg and 6mg formats, further expanding ZYN’s flavor range in the Philippines.

    The Philippine portfolio also includes several flavors such as Fresh Breeze, Dark Purple, and Espressino across different nicotine strengths.

  • PMI to Present at the dbAccess Global Consumer Conference

    PMI to Present at the dbAccess Global Consumer Conference

    Philip Morris International Inc. said it will host a live webcast of remarks and a Q&A session with CEO Jacek Olczak at the 2026 dbAccess Global Consumer Conference on June 2, at 11:15 a.m. CET. The session will be streamed live and made available for replay for one year via the company’s investor relations channels, including its mobile app and website.

    The event will provide an update on PMI’s strategy as it continues to position itself as a “smoke-free” consumer goods company, with a portfolio spanning cigarettes and reduced-risk products such as heat-not-burn devices, nicotine pouches, and e-vapor products. The company also highlighted ongoing regulatory milestones, including U.S. FDA authorizations for products such as Zyn nicotine pouches and IQOS devices, as it continues to expand its investor communications around its long-term transition strategy.

  • IQOS Ranks No. 74 in Global Brands

    IQOS Ranks No. 74 in Global Brands

    Philip Morris International said its IQOS heated tobacco brand has entered Kantar’s BrandZ 2026 ranking of the world’s 100 most valuable global brands for the first time, debuting at No. 74. The recognition marks a milestone for IQOS as PMI continues expanding its smoke-free portfolio and positioning the brand beyond traditional tobacco categories through technology, design, and reduced-risk product innovation.

    PMI said IQOS now has more than 35 million users globally, with the majority having fully transitioned away from cigarettes. The company also noted that IQOS surpassed $10 billion in annual net revenues within a decade of launch, contributing significantly to PMI’s broader smoke-free business, which generated nearly $17 billion in net revenues in 2025. The company has increasingly centered its long-term growth strategy around smoke-free products, including heated tobacco and nicotine alternatives.

    The Kantar BrandZ rankings evaluate global brands using a combination of financial performance and consumer brand equity research across more than 22,000 brands in 54 markets. IQOS joined a list that includes major global technology and consumer brands such as Google, Alibaba Group, and Xiaomi.

  • PMI Launches Five-City Tour as Part of America250 Initiative

    PMI Launches Five-City Tour as Part of America250 Initiative

    Philip Morris International announced a nationwide America250 initiative through its U.S. business this week, combining community investment, innovation programs, manufacturing expansion, and brand marketing tied to the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The initiative builds on PMI U.S.’s previously announced $1 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing, operations, and workforce development, alongside continued expansion of its smoke-free product portfolio, including Zyn nicotine pouches and IQOS heated tobacco products.

    The program includes a $250,000 Community Futures Challenge for entrepreneurs and civic innovators, a five-city innovation tour across Phoenix, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Nashville, and Stamford, Connecticut, and expanded volunteer and charitable activities. Since 2022, PMI U.S. said it has contributed more than $35 million to charitable organizations and plans to mobilize its 3,300-person workforce for community service initiatives focused on food insecurity, housing support, and essential services.

    PMI U.S. also highlighted ongoing investments in modern nicotine manufacturing and commercialization, including preparations for future product launches and expansion of its Aurora, Colorado, facility. As part of the campaign, the company plans to release limited-edition America250-themed Zyn and IQOS products for adult nicotine consumers, with broader promotional activity continuing through 2026 ahead of a planned Next.Now Summit in Phoenix in early 2027.

  • PMI Announces Andolina as Next CFO

    PMI Announces Andolina as Next CFO

    Philip Morris International appointed Massimo Andolina as its new Group Chief Financial Officer, effective August 1, succeeding Emmanuel Babeau, who will remain with the company as Strategic Advisor to CEO Jacek Olczak until March 2027 to support the transition. Andolina, currently president of PMI’s Europe Region, has been credited with driving strong smoke-free growth and financial performance across the company’s largest region, while previously leading global operations and transformation initiatives that improved efficiency and supply-chain resilience.

    Olczak described Andolina as a respected leader with deep company knowledge and a strong record in innovation and growth. PMI also praised Babeau’s six-year tenure, during which the company strengthened its smoke-free business, completed the acquisition of Swedish Match in 2022, and increased smoke-free products’ share of net revenues to 43% in Q1 2026.

  • PMI Accused of Hypocrisy for Cigarette Ads While Pivoting to Smoke-Free

    PMI Accused of Hypocrisy for Cigarette Ads While Pivoting to Smoke-Free

    The Guardian published an article today (May 18) titled, “Marlboro maker accused of ‘exploiting’ young people with new global ad campaign,” which reported that anti-tobacco campaigners have accused Philip Morris International of hypocrisy over its global “I AM Marlboro” campaign, saying the ads link Marlboro cigarettes with youth identity and lifestyle despite CEO Jacek Olczak previously declaring that “cigarettes belong in museums” as the company pivots toward smoke-free products. Advocates from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies told the paper the campaign, which is running in 20 countries, echoes PMI’s earlier “Be Marlboro” effort that was banned in Germany over youth appeal concerns, while researchers at the University of Bath said the decline in PMI’s cigarette sales has stalled since it announced its smoke-free ambitions. PMI disputed the criticism, saying 43% of its Q1 2026 net revenue came from smoke-free products and that its marketing is restricted to adults under strict internal codes and legal requirements.

  • Pakistan’s Effective Enforcement Welcomed by PMI

    Pakistan’s Effective Enforcement Welcomed by PMI

    Philip Morris Pakistan Limited said it welcomed nationwide enforcement actions targeting the illicit cigarette trade, stating the crackdown would strengthen the documented economy, improve revenue recovery, and support fair competition for tax-compliant businesses. The company said enforcement operations during fiscal year 2025–26 led to seizures of illicit cigarettes and raw materials equivalent to about 17 billion sticks—estimated at nearly 40% of the illegal market—following strategic direction from Shehbaz Sharif to the Federal Board of Revenue and provincial authorities. During a recent visit to Pakistan, Marco Mariotti, president CIS and Central Asia at Philip Morris International, said sustained enforcement is critical for revenue collection and market compliance, noting illicit trade is estimated to cost Pakistan roughly Rs300 billion ($1.1 billion) annually.