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Tag: Smoke Free

  • UK Passes Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Create ‘Smoke-Free Generation’

    UK Passes Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Create ‘Smoke-Free Generation’

    The UK Parliament has passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introducing a phased ban on cigarette sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, effectively creating a “smoke-free generation.” The legislation also grants ministers new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products, including controls on flavors, packaging, and marketing.

    The bill expands restrictions on vaping, banning its use in cars carrying children as well as in playgrounds, near schools and at hospitals, while allowing use in certain outdoor and private settings. Smoking and vaping will remain permitted in homes and some outdoor spaces, including hospitality venues.

    Officials described the measure as a major public health intervention aimed at reducing smoking-related harm, while some lawmakers raised concerns about its impact on retailers. Health groups welcomed the legislation and called for additional support for smoking cessation programs, however, critics find the regulation too broad and obtuse.

    “A critically important element of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is that it gives the government the power to regulate nicotine pouch products,” said Markus Lindblad, head of legal and external affairs at Haypp. “Nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco, nor produce vapor, so they fell outside the scope of existing nicotine product laws. Introducing regulations such as an 18+ age-of-sale and an upper limit of 20mg of nicotine per pouch will help send the message that these products are for adult nicotine users only. Oral nicotine products have enabled Sweden to achieve smoke-free status, and with sensible regulation arising from this Bill, pouches can play a similar role driving down smoking rates in the UK.”

  • PMI Q1 Results Driven by Smoke-Free Growth

    PMI Q1 Results Driven by Smoke-Free Growth

    Philip Morris International reported first-quarter 2026 net revenues of $10.1 billion, up 9.1%, with adjusted diluted EPS rising 16% to $1.96 despite a decline in reported EPS due to a non-cash adjustment. Growth was driven primarily by the company’s smoke-free portfolio, which now accounts for 43% of total revenue and is available in more than 100 markets.

    The smoke-free segment delivered strong performance, with revenue increasing 24.7% and shipment volumes up 11.9%. IQOS remained the key growth driver, with double-digit gains and expanding market share, including becoming the top nicotine brand in markets where it is present. E-vapor products also showed rapid growth, while nicotine pouch volumes expanded in several markets despite declines in Nordic snus.

    Combustible cigarette volumes declined 5.1% in the quarter, although pricing supported modest revenue growth in the segment. Looking ahead, PMI expects continued momentum in smoke-free products, forecasting adjusted EPS growth of 10.9% to 12.9% for 2026 and organic revenue growth of 5% to 7%, supported by ongoing investment in its reduced-risk portfolio.

  • PMI Releases Value Report 2025, Sets Value Plan 2030+

    PMI Releases Value Report 2025, Sets Value Plan 2030+

    Philip Morris International released its Value Report 2025, marking the completion of its 2025 Roadmap and introducing a new Value Plan 2030+ to guide future growth. The report outlines progress in PMI’s shift toward smoke-free products and details performance across business transformation, environmental, and social metrics. In 2025, PMI reported around 43.5 million adult users of its smoke-free products across 106 markets, with smoke-free net revenues reaching $16.9 billion, representing 41.5% of total annual net revenues.

    The company also reported 98% coverage of shipment volumes with youth access prevention programs in indirect retail channels, 91% coverage with anti-littering programs for cigarette butts, and 76% of employees having access to structured lifelong learning opportunities. Among agricultural metrics, PMI said 99.6% of contracted farmers supplying tobacco achieved a living income, while 99.3% of tobacco purchased was at no risk of net deforestation. PMI reported a 46% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared with 2019 and a 31% reduction in Scope 3 Forest, Land, and Agriculture emissions compared with 2010.

    PMI said its Value Plan 2030+ will focus on six priorities: consumers and product health impact, circularity, climate change, nature and biodiversity, its workforce, and workers across its value chain. The company stated the report was prepared with reference to Global Reporting Initiative standards and guidance from the International Sustainability Standards Board.

  • 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.”

  • Sweden Wants Others to Follow its Harm-Reduction Success

    Sweden Wants Others to Follow its Harm-Reduction Success

    Sweden is boasting about its success with tobacco harm-reduction and is encouraging our countries to follow suit. Only 4.5% of Swedish-born adults smoke cigarettes which, according to the government, is owed to its policies that push safer alternatives like snus, nicotine pouches, and vapes.

    “Swedes have participated in a long-running harm reduction experiment, providing undeniable proof that replacing smoking with smokeless nicotine dramatically reduces smoking-related disease, disability and premature deaths – a net gain for public health, while reducing expenditure,” said Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden. “With harm reduction now policy in Sweden, every public health decision will reflect this approach. Other countries should adopt Sweden’s model without further delay.”

    Sweden’s Parliament formally adopted harm-reduction as a policy in December 2024, saying “Tobacco policy must consider the varying harmful effects of different products. Cigarettes pose a greater health hazard than smokeless nicotine… This must be reflected in taxation and policy goals.”

    Sweden has already applied risk-based taxation by lowering excise tax on snus while increasing it on cigarettes.