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Tag: smoke-free

  • PMI’s Net Revenue Tops $40B for 2025

    PMI’s Net Revenue Tops $40B for 2025

    Philip Morris International highlighted strong financial performance and continued growth in its smoke-free portfolio during its 2026 Annual Meeting, reporting net revenues exceeding $40 billion in 2025, including nearly $17 billion from smoke-free products. The company said it delivered its fifth consecutive year of volume growth and remains focused on expanding its smoke-free business, which now accounts for a significant share of total revenues and is used by more than 43 million adult consumers globally.

    PMI reaffirmed its outlook for continued growth through 2026–2028 and its commitment to shareholder returns, while noting ongoing investments in innovation and regulatory progress for alternative products. The company also pointed to a complex operating environment, including regulatory pressures, geopolitical risks, and shifting consumer behavior, but said its performance in early 2026 supports confidence in achieving its long-term strategy.

  • Philip Morris Korea Appoints New Managing Director

    Philip Morris Korea Appoints New Managing Director

    Philip Morris Korea named Lee Hong-suk as its new managing director, effective May 1, as the company continues to advance its smoke-free product strategy in the country. Lee, who has been with Philip Morris International since 1999, has held senior roles across multiple markets and most recently led the company’s smoke-free products division in Korea.

    In his new role, Lee will oversee operations in one of PMI’s key markets for alternatives such as IQOS, with a focus on expanding the company’s presence and engagement with stakeholders. The company said Lee will be essential as it continues to prioritize smoke-free product development and commercialization in the Korean market.

  • Morocco Creates Mandatory Standard for Smoke-Free Products

    Morocco Creates Mandatory Standard for Smoke-Free Products

    Morocco will implement mandatory standards for smoke-free nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, muassel, and nicotine pouches, from February 2026, under new rules developed by the Moroccan Institute of Standardization, according to Médias24. The framework introduces requirements covering product composition, labelling, traceability, and safety, and will apply to imports as Morocco has no domestic production of these products.

    Consumer groups say the regulations strengthen transparency by requiring detailed labelling, including manufacturer information, ingredients, origin, and production date, while supporting broader legal updates covering emerging nicotine categories such as heated tobacco. Authorities stress the measures are intended to improve consumer protection and market oversight rather than promote product use.

  • Taipei to Announce Plans for Smoke-Free City in 2026

    Taipei to Announce Plans for Smoke-Free City in 2026

    Taipei City is moving toward tighter controls on public smoking, with Mayor Chiang Wan-an saying the city is considering various options and expects to roll out a “smoke-free Taipei” plan by the end of 2026. Chiang said officials are studying overseas models, including Tokyo’s use of designated smoking areas and booths, which he described as effective in reducing secondhand smoke and litter, signaling a likely approach that would ban smoking in principle while allowing limited, clearly defined exceptions in public spaces.

  • UK Set to Miss 2030 Smoke-Free Target, New Analysis Finds

    UK Set to Miss 2030 Smoke-Free Target, New Analysis Finds

    A new analysis by Haypp, in collaboration with Swedish economist David Sundén, shows that the UK is unlikely to achieve its goal of being smoke-free by 2030 if current trends continue. Based on smoking rate declines across the UK and EU, England is projected to reach smoke-free status in 2032, Wales in 2033, Scotland in 2034, and Northern Ireland not until 2037. The study defines smoke-free as having less than 5% of the population smoking daily, in line with the World Health Organization criteria.

    The report highlights Sweden as a global leader, set to become smoke-free on October 25, 2025, driven by high cigarette taxes and widespread access to alternatives like snus and nicotine pouches. In comparison, the UK’s overall daily smoking rate remains at 11.9%, with rates among young adults (18–24) at 9.8%. Sweden’s young-adult smoking rate is 2.3%.

    Sundén notes that while alternatives such as vapes have helped reduce smoking, the rate of decline is slowing and some regions have even seen slight increases over the past year.

    The analysis also points to the potential public health impact if the UK adopted Sweden’s harm reduction strategies. Markus Lindblad, Haypp’s Director of External Affairs, emphasized that the UK has an opportunity to follow Sweden’s approach, using alternative nicotine products to accelerate the transition away from combustible tobacco as Parliament considers the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

  • PMI Launches VEEV in South Africa, Expands Smoke-Free Portfolio

    PMI Launches VEEV in South Africa, Expands Smoke-Free Portfolio

    Philip Morris South Africa (PMSA) launched its VEEV e-cigarette this week, completing the company’s trio of smoke-free products in the country alongside IQOS heated tobacco and ZYN nicotine pouches, according to BizCommunity. This makes South Africa one of just 20 countries globally offering all three categories, underscoring PMSA’s commitment to providing adult smokers with scientifically backed alternatives to combustible cigarettes.

    Jonathan Kwak, Director of Smoke-Free Products at PMSA, said the launch gives “adult smokers more options than before when considering scientifically substantiated alternatives to smoking” and is a critical step toward eliminating cigarette use. PMI says it has invested over $14 billion globally since 2008 in research and development of smoke-free products, which are now available in 97 markets and used by more than 41 million adult consumers worldwide.

    While emphasizing that quitting all tobacco and nicotine remains the best choice, Kwak said that switching entirely to smoke-free products can significantly reduce exposure to harmful chemicals produced by burning tobacco. “With our expanding offering, we aim to accelerate South Africa’s transition to a smoke-free future, aligning with harm-reduction principles already embraced in other public-health fields,” he said.

  • PMI Responds to Italian Investigation of ‘Smoke-Free’ Language

    PMI Responds to Italian Investigation of ‘Smoke-Free’ Language

    Today (October 15), the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM), accompanied by financial police, searched two Philip Morris offices in Italy as part of the inquiry regarding the company’s use of phrases such as “a smoke-free future” and “smoke-free products” regarding its electronic cigarettes.

    In response, a PMI spokesperson told Tobacco Reporter:

    “With reference to the proceeding initiated yesterday by the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) concerning the use of the term “smoke-free” in communications related to our corporate vision and our combustion-free products, Philip Morris Italia believes it has always acted in full compliance with applicable regulations. The Company is confident that its communication is factual, truthful, and fully consistent with both Italian and European legislation, which associate the absence of smoke with the absence of combustion. Italian Legislative Decree No. 6/2016, which transposes EU Directive 2014/40/EU, defines in Article 2, paragraph 5, a “smoke-free tobacco product”  (“smokeless tobacco product” in the English version of the Directive) as “a tobacco product that does not involve a combustion process”.

    “The pursuit of a smoke-free future has been the primary global objective of Philip Morris International for nearly a decade—an ambition that the Italian affiliates have been working toward for years, alongside an integrated Made in Italy value chain involving 44,000 people.

    “The Company will continue to cooperate with the Authority throughout the proceeding to demonstrate the full legitimacy of its actions.”

  • Bloomberg: JTI Bets on Discount Cigarettes Amid Global Shift to Smoke-Free Products

    Bloomberg: JTI Bets on Discount Cigarettes Amid Global Shift to Smoke-Free Products

    Today (September 25), Bloomberg published an article titled “Japan Tobacco is Doubling Down on Cheap Cigarettes,” examining Japan Tobacco International’s (JTI) revenue strategy since its $2.4 billion acquisition of Vector Group in October 2024.

    “While rivals Philip Morris International Inc. and British American Tobacco Plc have set ambitious targets for ‘smoke-free’ products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco sticks and nicotine pouches, JTI has focused more on conventional combustible tobacco products,” the article said. The strategy is paying off, according to the article, as JTI’s cigarette volumes rose 2%, revenue 9%, and profit 10%. While smoke-free products like Ploom and Nordic Spirit are expanding, JTI remains focused on conventional cigarettes in both mature and emerging markets.

    “In the U.S., the Vector acquisition has given JTI an advantageous position, as smokers contend with inflation and higher taxes, and tobacco makers increase prices to help compensate for a decline in cigarette volumes,” the article said. “Since 2021, premium brands have steadily lost share, falling from about 80% of tracked cigarette sales to about 70%, according to Connor Rattigan, analyst at Consumer Edge.”

  • Study: Vape and Nicotine Replacements Help People Quit Smoking

    Study: Vape and Nicotine Replacements Help People Quit Smoking

    A new clinical trial led by Flinders University in Australia found that offering a variety of nicotine replacement therapies—including vapes—alongside behavioral support significantly helps people leaving rehab stay smoke-free.

    The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, tracked over 360 adults exiting detox programs. Participants received either 12 weeks of vapes or traditional nicotine therapies like patches and gum, plus Quitline counseling. After nine months, 10% of both groups remained smoke-free, deemed a success for a population with typically high-smoking and low-quit rates.

    Lead author Billie Bonevski said the findings highlight the need to integrate smoking cessation fully into addiction recovery, noting that the type of nicotine aid matters less than consistent support and choice.

  • Local Group Pushes Jakarta to Pass Smoke-Free Zone Law in 2025

    Local Group Pushes Jakarta to Pass Smoke-Free Zone Law in 2025

    The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) is calling on the Jakarta government to fast-track the ratification of the long-delayed Smoke-Free Zone Regional Regulation, emphasizing the need to protect public health and uphold consumer rights. YLKI Chairperson Niti Emiliana cited Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, which mandates local governments to implement smoke-free zones.

    “YLKI also calls for the regulation to include more comprehensive provisions that strengthen consumer protection from exposure to active smokers’ cigarette smoke surrounding them, such as the elderly, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers,” Emiliana said. She stressed that the regulation, currently under review by a special committee, must be passed in 2025.

    However, the draft regulation has faced pushback from the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), which argues that some provisions could impose operational burdens on businesses in the hospitality sector.