The presentation provided further information regarding the commitment of Sampoerna and its parent company, Philip Morris International (PMI), to continue to develop a portfolio of innovative smoke-free tobacco products based on science and technology.

“The steps and standards that PMI implements to develop better alternatives for adult consumers are inspired by the research and development processes of other industries such as pharmaceuticals, which prioritize innovation to provide the best choices for consumers. We believe that innovation needs to start from the scientific method. Our findings have also been published and we are open to all parties who wish to review our research results," said Chief Life Sciences Officer of Smoke-Free Products of PMI, Dr. Badrul Chowdhury.

He revealed that 99 percent of all PMI’s research effort has been dedicated to developing a portfolio of smoke-free tobacco products. PMI has invested more than USD 10.5 billion in the development, scientific substantiation, manufacturing, commercialization, and continuous innovation of smoke-free products. This is supported by more than 980 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff, including those from Indonesia.

Previously, President Director of Sampoerna Vassilis Gkatzelis mentioned about nicotine, a point that was further stressed by the doctor. He stated that while nicotine is addictive, it is not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases.

“In the past, people at that time did not really make a distinction between nicotine and the burning residue from cigarette smoking. It is really the chemicals that are coming out that are primarily causing disease. It is not nicotine. The primary reason for the health harm caused by smoking is the burning of tobacco, not the nicotine,” he stated.

While both said the consumables of this new innovation contain nicotine, they highlighted that for legal age adult smokers, switching to smoke-free products is better than continuing smoking. The underlying idea is that nicotine can be delivered in other ways without involving the burning process.

On the science behind this new innovation, like previous IQOS devices, IQOS ILUMA emits on average 90-95% lower levels of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes. Without burning, IQOS ILUMA produces no fire, ash, or smoke.

PMI's R&D team's research puts forward the principle of harm reduction. All of these research results inspire the innovative smoke-free tobacco products, which eliminate the combustion process so that no fire, ash or smoke is produced.

During his presentation, Chowdhury explained the stages of research conducted by PMI R&D starting from the development of product design that can encourage adult smokers to switch to smokeless alternatives, chemical and physical aerosol research, and toxicology research. It then continued with clinical studies, research on consumer perceptions and attitudes, and ending with post-sales studies and monitoring. The new innovation proved to be beneficial for public health, as it has converted approximately 17.8 million adults to switch to IQOS completely, so they have stopped smoking altogether.

“The overall body of evidence, consisting of PMI clinical data, chemical aerosols, and nonclinical data, indicates that switching completely to IQOS, while not risk-free, is a better choice for adult smokers who decide to continue using tobacco or other nicotine products,” said Chowdhury.

He further said, the best way to reduce health harm from cigarette smoking is not to start smoking in the first place and for those who currently smoke, to quit smoking. IQOS ILUMA and other smoke free products are for those adult smokers who will not quit or cannot quit.

“The intention is to provide them with a harm reduction product as an alternative. IQOS ILUMA is currently the best product that we have developed,” he concluded.

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