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  • PMI Moving Toward Smoke-Free Goals in Philippines

    PMI Moving Toward Smoke-Free Goals in Philippines

    PMFTC Inc., the combination of Philip Morris International and Fortune Tobacco Corporation in the Philippines, said nearly 150,000 adult Filipino users have switched to cigarette alternatives like IQOS and ZYN nicotine pouches, accounting for 42% of the company’s revenue thus far in 2025.

    PMI’s goal is to have two-thirds of its net revenue come from smoke-free products or alternatives by 2030.

    “This growth underscores our commitment to accelerating the transition away from cigarettes and toward better alternatives,” PMFTC said. “This shift underscores our commitment to accelerating the decline of cigarette consumption by offering scientifically substantiated, less harmful options compared to continued smoking.”

    Tomoko Iida, director of scientific engagement at PMI said the Philippines is still in the early stages of the company’s smoke-free vision, having only seen a slight increase in the use of smoke-free alternative products and a slight decrease in cigarette consumption. She said that consumers receiving accurate information about nicotine products will be key.

    “I really think that having the smoke-free alternative available so that the smokers can move away from cigarettes and switch to this alternative is serving the population, serving the government, and really meeting the public health goal,” she said. “Facts about nicotine, facts about smoke-free products, facts about the data or any of these things have to be accurately communicated so that the Filipino smokers have the right information and they’re able to make a better choice for themselves.”

  • PMI US Launches “Invested in America” Campaign

    PMI US Launches “Invested in America” Campaign

    Philip Morris International U.S. (PMI U.S.) unveiled a new national campaign today (July 3), “Invested in America,” aimed at showcasing the company’s contributions to job creation, manufacturing growth, public health, and community development across the country. The campaign launched with full-page print ads and a digital rollout to follow, highlighting PMI U.S.’s strategic investment in America’s future and invites policymakers and the public to see the company as a partner in national progress.

    “Philip Morris International is invested in America’s future—and we have a proud story to tell,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI U.S. “From building our advanced manufacturing facilities to contributing to progress within communities nationwide, the people of PMI U.S. are helping to write America’s next chapter.”

    The campaign centers on four key pillars:

    • Manufacturing Comeback: PMI U.S. plans to invest over $800 million in new and expanded smoke-free product facilities, generating high-paying, high-skilled jobs.
    • Advancing Public Health: The company aims to help the nation’s ~30 million adult smokers move away from cigarettes by offering FDA-authorized, smoke-free alternatives.
    • Strengthening Communities: Since 2022, PMI U.S. has donated $25 million to charitable causes and disaster recovery, including over $10 million in 2024 alone to 327 nonprofits in 35 states.
    • Purpose-Driven Performance: Backed by more than $14 billion in global investment in smoke-free innovation since 2008, PMI continues to drive both public health goals and business growth.

    “This campaign embodies our innovation and determination to reshape an entire industry and strengthen America,” Kennedy said. “In every state where we operate, we’re not just doing business—we’re creating opportunities that will define the America of tomorrow.”

  • Philip Morris Supports India’s Crackdown on Illicits

    Philip Morris Supports India’s Crackdown on Illicits

    On World Anti-Counterfeiting Day, Philip Morris International’s (PMI) India affiliate, IPM India, reinforced its commitment to combat illicit tobacco trade, protect government revenue, and uphold product integrity. The pledge aligns with India’s rollout of pack-level track and trace (T&T) technology, aimed at identifying and curbing counterfeit tobacco products.

    India, the fourth-largest illegal cigarette market globally, sees smuggled cigarettes make up 25% of its domestic market, according to PMI estimates. The company emphasized the critical need for stronger enforcement and collaboration to address the issue, which undermines public health, economic stability, and national security.

    Navaneel Kar, managing director of IPM India, praised the government’s T&T initiative, stating it will enhance transparency and enforcement. PMI says it has implemented T&T systems in over 140 countries, including the EU and GCC states, with positive outcomes in reducing illicit trade.

    Rodney Van Dooren, PMI’s Head of Illicit Trade Prevention for Asia Pacific, called for regional cooperation, noting India’s leadership role and growing influence in tackling counterfeit goods.

  • PMI Raises Prices in Egypt After VAT Change

    Days after Egypt amended its tobacco VAT law, Philip Morris Egypt released a new price list for its cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Yesterday (July 1), Egypt’s largest tobacco producer, Eastern Company, of which PMI owns a 14.7% indirect stake, made a similar announcement.

    PM Egypt’s managing director Ali Nafzat Kerman reaffirmed the company’s commitment to meeting adult smokers’ needs while advancing toward a smoke-free future. Philip Morris urged retailers to adhere to the new pricing. The new tax laws cap the lowest-tier cigarettes at EGP 48 ($0.96) and the mid-tier at EGP 69 ($1.38), with VAT taxes increasing 12% in each of the next three years.

    The new official prices for PMI in Egypt are EGP 69 for HEETS, EGP 76 ($1.52) for L&M and TEREA, EGP 79 ($1.58) for Marlboro Crafted, EGP 80 ($1.60) for TEREA Capsules, EGP 97 ($1.94) for Marlboro, and EGP 105 ($2.10) for Merit.

  • Philip Morris Pushes for Arbitration in Washington MSA Dispute

    Philip Morris Pushes for Arbitration in Washington MSA Dispute

    Philip Morris USA (PM USA) urged a King County Superior Court judge in Washington State to compel arbitration in its dispute with R.J. Reynolds (RJR) and other tobacco companies. The conflict centers on longstanding disagreements over the annual Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) payments to the state.

    RJR and fellow plaintiffs claim PM USA aims to derail a separate 2025 settlement signed between RJR and Washington by attempting to enforce an arbitration clause dating back to a 2017 agreement. They argue PM USA is improperly interfering in a deal it is not directly part of.

    This week, in response, PM USA submitted a motion to compel arbitration, asserting that RJR and the other defendants are bound by the 2017 arbitration clause and that the court must defer to this private resolution mechanism. The outcome of this procedural motion could significantly influence the future of tobacco payment disputes under the MSA—either moving them out of public courtrooms or keeping them subject to private arbitration panels.

  • PMI Launches IQOS ILUMA i in Egypt

    PMI Launches IQOS ILUMA i in Egypt

    Philip Morris Misr launched the IQOS ILUMA i in Egypt, the “latest and most advanced smoke-free device in its portfolio,” according to the company. The device features the Smartcore Induction System, which heats tobacco without combustion, delivering a cleaner, residue-free experience. It includes smart features like a touchscreen, pause mode, FlexPuff, and improved battery technology.

    “We leverage science, world-leading brands, and commercial capabilities to provide better alternatives to our consumers,” said Ali Nevzat Karaman, managing director of Philip Morris Egypt and Levant. “Following the introduction of IQOS ILUMA in Egypt in 2023, we are now taking the IQOS experience to new heights. IQOS ILUMA i is our most innovative device to date—our flagship product in the portfolio of scientifically substantiated, heat-not-burn smoke-free systems.”

    The IQOS ILUMA i is compatible with existing TEREA sticks, avoiding the need for format changes. This launch supports Philip Morris International’s vision of a smoke-free future, backed by over $14 billion in R&D and a goal to eliminate cigarettes. Smoke-free products now make up 42% of PMI’s net revenues, with 38.6 million adult users worldwide as of December 2024.

  • PMFTC Eyes Double-Digit Growth for IQOS in the Philippines

    PMFTC Eyes Double-Digit Growth for IQOS in the Philippines

    PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), is targeting double-digit growth this year for its smoke-free product, IQOS, as it pushes to expand its market in the country.

    In an interview, PMFTC President Gijs de Best said the Philippines now has around 150,000 IQOS users since the product’s launch in 2020. “People don’t understand what the problem is related to smoking because in the Philippines, 60% of people believe that nicotine is the most harmful ingredient, which it is not,” he said. “It’s the burning that is causing the issue. Simply, when you use a cigarette, once it is lit, harmful chemicals are released. What our technology is all about is heating, not burning.”

    Because it was launched in the market during the COVID-19 pandemic, IQOS gained traction mainly through word of mouth. Now, PMFTC aims to accelerate growth by increasing education around the benefits of heated tobacco. To support its expansion, PMI inaugurated a ₱8.8-billion ($150 million) manufacturing plant in Tanauan, Batangas last year to produce IQOS and other smoke-free products locally. The Philippines is one of 96 global markets for IQOS, with Indonesia currently being the largest in the region.

  • South Africa Debating Vape’s Role in Harm Reduction

    South Africa Debating Vape’s Role in Harm Reduction

    South Africa’s Parliament is reviewing the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, which proposes strict regulations on all nicotine products—treating e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and traditional cigarettes the same. Proponents of harm-reducing products warn that treating all nicotine products equally could stifle innovation and keep safer alternatives out of reach.

    The debate comes at a critical juncture for South Africa’s public health and economy. The current bill includes plain packaging, graphic health warnings, a ban on advertising, public vaping restrictions, and limits on vape flavors. Industry leaders like Philip Morris International (PMI) argue this approach ignores scientific evidence showing reduced harm from smoke-free products, urging a differentiated regulatory framework like those in the UK and Japan.

    PMI says equal restrictions discourage smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives. But health groups and some lawmakers remain cautious, citing youth vaping risks and insufficient long-term safety data.

  • 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.