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  • PM Korea to Launch VEEV E-Cigarette

    PM Korea to Launch VEEV E-Cigarette

    Philip Morris Korea will launch its VEEV inPRIME liquid e-cigarette on Aug. 18 as part of Philip Morris International’s expansion of its non-combustion portfolio. The closed-pod system uses a rechargeable device and replaceable pods, with five device colors and five pod varieties. Pre-sales begin Aug. 11 at IQOS flagship stores, with broader retail distribution from Aug. 26.

    The VEEV inPRIME device will retail for 29,000 won ($20.60), while 2ml VEEBI inPRIME pods will cost 8,000 won ($5.68). Philip Morris Korea said the launch expands choices for adult smokers and represents the company’s broader multi-category strategy in South Korea.

  • Dutch Regulator Rules on PMI’s EU Consultation Campaign

    Dutch Regulator Rules on PMI’s EU Consultation Campaign

    The Netherlands’ advertising standards watchdog, the Reclame Code Commissie (RCC), found that a Philip Morris campaign encouraging public input into the EU’s tobacco-rules review fell within the scope of the country’s tobacco advertising ban.  The campaign invited people to submit comments to the European Commission opposing tighter EU rules on tobacco and nicotine products. An investigation by NOS and Pointer reported that Philip Morris used an AI tool to generate hundreds of responses presented as individual citizens’ views.

    The RCC said the campaign had a commercial character because the AI text generator was developed and paid for by Philip Morris, and that the generated responses portrayed alternative tobacco products positively. The watchdog concluded that presenting the activity as public consultation did not remove it from the scope of the advertising ban. Doctors and health organizations had filed a complaint over the campaign in June, while Philip Morris said it was contributing to the public debate.

  • Decision Nears in Brazil’s Tobacco Health-Cost Lawsuit

    Decision Nears in Brazil’s Tobacco Health-Cost Lawsuit

    A landmark lawsuit filed by Brazil’s Office of the Attorney General in 2019 seeking to recover public healthcare costs linked to smoking has reached the decision stage. All legal submissions have been completed, including an opinion from the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office supporting the government’s claims. The Federal Court in Porto Alegre will now decide whether the country’s largest cigarette manufacturers are liable for health damages associated with the marketing and sale of their products.

    The case targets BAT Brazil and Philip Morris Brazil, and their parent companies, British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International, seeking compensation for tobacco-related healthcare expenditures. The lawsuit estimates that smoking causes about 177,000 deaths annually in Brazil and R$75 billion ($15 billion) in healthcare costs.

  • Philip Morris Italia Launches €1 Million Academy for Tobacconists

    Philip Morris Italia Launches €1 Million Academy for Tobacconists

    Philip Morris Italia announced the launch of the Trade Academy, a €1 million training initiative developed with the Italian Tobacconists Federation (FIT) to support the professional development of approximately 45,000 tobacconists across Italy. The program offers digital and in-person training in areas such as leadership, business management, and public speaking, as well as university scholarships and professional development opportunities for retailers and their families.

    The Trade Academy will run through the end of 2026 and is part of Philip Morris International’s broader investment in its Italian supply chain. The company said the initiative is designed to strengthen retailer competitiveness, improve customer engagement and build skills across its commercial network as part of its long-term investment in human capital.

  • PMI U.S. Opens $1.2 Billion Colorado Manufacturing Campus

    PMI U.S. Opens $1.2 Billion Colorado Manufacturing Campus

    Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses announced the official opening of its $1.2 billion manufacturing campus in Aurora, Colorado, expanding domestic production capacity for Zyn nicotine pouches and strengthening the company’s U.S. supply chain and export capabilities. The 780,000-square-foot facility, located on a 148-acre site, began full commercial production in July 2026 and represents PMI U.S.’s first greenfield manufacturing complex in the United States. The campus integrates production, packaging, warehousing, distribution, and operations, and will support markets across Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

    The investment, originally announced as a $600 million project in 2024, doubled in planned capital expenditures through 2028, including manufacturing equipment, infrastructure, facility development, and future production expansion. “Aurora represents an important milestone for PMI U.S. and our continued investment in our business here,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI U.S. “This facility expands our production capacity, strengthens our supply chain, and enhances our ability to serve growing demand in the United States and around the world.”

    The facility is expected to directly employ approximately 500 people and contribute to broader economic activity in Colorado, with PMI estimating the site will support around 1,000 indirect jobs.

  • Godfrey Phillips India Profit Falls 44% After Tax Hike

    Godfrey Phillips India Profit Falls 44% After Tax Hike

    Godfrey Phillips India reported a 44% decline in first-quarter profit as higher excise duties introduced in January pressured margins. Consolidated net profit fell to 1.98 billion rupees ($19.8 million) from 3.56 billion rupees ($35.6 million) a year earlier.

    The company, which manufactures and sells Marlboro cigarettes in India under license from Philip Morris International, said cigarette, tobacco and related product revenue more than doubled to 37.8 billion rupees ($378 million). However, excise duty expenses surged nearly eightfold to 26 billion rupees ($2.6 billion) after India introduced higher cigarette taxes ranging from 2,050 to 8,500 rupees ($205 to $850) per 1,000 cigarettes in February.

  • Don Abram Harris Cigars Files $8B Lawsuit Against PM USA

    Don Abram Harris Cigars Files $8B Lawsuit Against PM USA

    Don Abram Harris Cigars filed an $8 billion lawsuit against Philip Morris USA, an Altria subsidiary, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland over its use of the “Marlboro Man” trademark for a premium cigar. Founder Abram Harris alleges Philip Morris improperly interfered with the company’s trademark application and business operations, claiming the dispute led to the loss of a proposed $50 million investment. Philip Morris has argued the mark could be confused with its Marlboro cigarette trademarks, while Harris is seeking damages, a jury trial, and a court declaration supporting his trademark application.

  • Smoke-Free Gains Push PMI Over $11B in Q2

    Smoke-Free Gains Push PMI Over $11B in Q2

    Philip Morris International reported strong second-quarter 2026 results, with net revenues exceeding $11 billion for the first time as smoke-free products drove growth. Reported diluted EPS fell 7.7% to $1.80 due to a $511 million non-cash impairment charge tied to PMI’s Rothmans, Benson & Hedges investment, while adjusted diluted EPS rose 15.2% to $2.20, or 13.6% excluding currency. Shipments increased 2.5%, led by a 7.5% rise in smoke-free products. Net revenues grew 10.4% to $11.2 billion, with smoke-free products representing about 42% of sales, while operating income increased 22% to $4.5 billion.

    The international smoke-free business remained PMI’s main growth driver, with revenue up 14.2% and volumes rising 8%. IQOS heat-not-burn shipments increased 7.6%, maintaining PMI’s leading position in the category, while growth continued across Europe and other key markets despite challenges from Japan’s excise increase and Poland’s flavor restrictions. PMI said it would increase investment in Zyn as the nicotine pouch volumes expanded globally, with the brand now available in 60 markets, while VEEV e-vapor shipments rose 55.1% as PMI continued expanding its smoke-free portfolio.

    International combustible sales also grew, supported by pricing and market gains, while the U.S. business remained under pressure. Combustible revenue increased 9.8%, with cigarette growth in Turkey, Indonesia, and Egypt, while Marlboro gained market share. U.S. revenue declined 0.7% due to weakness in cigars and wellness products, though Zyn shipments rose 1.8% to 2.9 billion pouches following portfolio expansions. PMI maintained its 2026 outlook, forecasting adjusted EPS growth of 9.5% to 11.5%, organic revenue growth of 5% to 7%, and continued investment in smoke-free products.

    According to Reuters, PMI’s shares rose ​about 5% in early trading even though the company also cut its annual profit ​forecast for the third time this year due to negative currency effects.

  • PMFTC Remains Top Buyer of Philippine Tobacco

    PMFTC Remains Top Buyer of Philippine Tobacco

    Philippines’ National Tobacco Administration (NTA) recognized Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation as the largest buyer of Philippine-grown tobacco for the third consecutive year, highlighting the company’s continued support for the country’s tobacco farming sector. In 2025, PMFTC purchased 8.3 million kg of locally grown tobacco — 69% of the 12.1 million kilograms delivered to domestic manufacturers. NTA Administrator Belinda Sanchez said PMFTC’s sustained buying provides tobacco farmers with a stable and reliable market, particularly as the industry prepares for a challenging growing season.

    PMFTC said it remains committed to investing in long-term partnerships with farmers, trading partners, and government agencies to strengthen the Philippine tobacco value chain and help keep locally grown tobacco competitive in domestic and international markets.

  • PMI to Post Financials July 22

    PMI to Post Financials July 22

    Philip Morris International announced it will host a live webcast on July 22 at 9 a.m. ET to discuss its second quarter and first half 2026 financial results, which are scheduled to be released earlier that morning at approximately 7 a.m. ET. The presentation will be led by Group Chief Financial Officer Emmanuel Babeau and incoming Group CFO Massimo Andolina and will include a review of the company’s financial performance, followed by a question-and-answer session with the investment community. A replay, presentation slides, and transcript will be made available after the event.