Philip Morris International has been mentioning the "smoke-free future" for several years. To investigate further, we visited them in Switzerland.
This commitment of the company was presented in detail during the development of the science and technology presentation event, "Technovation" held at the main Research and Development Center - "The Cube" by Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland.
Throughout this edition, CEO Jacek Olczak, senior company executives and experts in research and science, focused all the essence of the debate and discussions towards the role that innovation, technology and science can play in helping smokers to quit smoking.
The tobacco industry has been given the task of reducing the harm caused by the consumption of traditional cigarettes; a challenge fully accepted by Philip Morris International which since 2008 has invested $10.5 billion in research, development, scientific verification of heating and non-combustion alternatives. These alternative products, which in themselves are not without any level of risk, but allow the intake of nicotine with a much reduced risk, representing a potentially valuable alternative for adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking cigarettes.
"In the last 10 years, a series of clinical and non-clinical trials have proven that smokeless products represent a potential alternative to traditional cigarettes - declared Olczak during his speech. - We must start asking ourselves how we can maximize health opportunities public offered by innovation applied in the tobacco and nicotine sector".
Philip Morris International's heated products are currently on sale in 78 markets. On March 31, 2023, PMI estimates that around 18.5 million adults worldwide have switched to using alternative products offered by the company, such as IQOS, and managed to quit smoking cigarettes.
“Philip Morris International ka qënë një ndër të parët aktorë në rinovimin e sektorit, duke shkaktuar një ndryshim pozitiv për duhan pirësit e rritur të cilët në rrethana të tjera do kishin vazhduar duhanin me djegie – nënvizoi Stefano Volpetti, Drejtori për Konsumatorët në PMI. Për ne është e rendësishme të ofrojmë alternativa pa tym, inovatore dhe të vërtetuara shkencërisht ndaj të gjithë duhanpirësve të botës, me preferenca dhe mundësi financiare të ndryshme. Kjo është e vetmja rrugë në arritjen e një të ardhmeje pa tym duhani”.
Gjatë zhvillimit të seksioneve, Tommaso di Giovanni, Zv. Presidenti i Komunikimeve Globale në PMI, shtoi se: “Besojmë se një numër gjithnjë në rritje i qeverive dhe institucioneve publike do të vlerësojë përfitimet – shkencërisht të provuara – që produktet pa tym, me ngrohje, ofrojnë për gratë dhe burrat të cilët përqafojnë produktet alternative”.
More and more governments are recognizing that the adoption of scientifically proven alternatives that are potentially less harmful to health can accelerate the rate of smoking cessation in society. The most effective way to deal with all the concerns related to these new products, including the prevention of young people, is to create a sound legal framework. The prohibitive approach will have only one result: that of protecting the cigarette market", explained Gregoire Verdeaux, Deputy. President of Public Relations at PMI.
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