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VP External Affairs Philip Morris: It takes a village to make smoke-free future a reality

The importance of access to information about smoke-free product innovations for adult smokers

Front Row (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Tue, December 24, 2024

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VP External Affairs Philip Morris: It takes a village to make smoke-free future a reality

"We believe every adult smoker, who otherwise continues smoking, needs to be allowed to have the access to the product," stated Andrea Gontkovicova, vice president of external affairs at Philip Morris International (PMI), the parent company of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk., during the Technovation conference in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday before hundreds of journalists.

Technovation 2024 is an event organized by PMI, showcasing the latest innovations in the tobacco industry, including advancements in research and development of smoke-free products. “It takes a village to make smoke-free products happen, to make smoke-free future a reality, and it needs everybody. We have our products, we have the science, but we need everybody, we need you,” Gontkovicova explained.

She continued, “We are in the territory where societies clearly understand and work on addressing combustion, because combustion, burning, is playing a role, and is a big part of the problem”.

For centuries, the nicotine market was dominated by combustible tobacco products. However, over the past decade, scientifically substantiated alternatives such as heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches have emerged. She stated how adult smokers in different regions have different cultures and diverse consumer bases and that they should not be left out from the latest innovations. “And we don't want to leave them out, never,” she said.

Gontkovicova drew a comparison to the transportation sector, where tax incentives have been adopted for electric vehicles. Although the technology remains relatively expensive, governments worldwide provide various incentives to encourage adoption because of its lower environmental impact. Additionally, tax incentives stimulate innovation in the industry.

"Governments provide incentives [for EVs]. When I was living in the Czech Republic in Prague, parking for electric vehicles was absolutely free anywhere. So we believe that tax should be a big part of differentiation, reflecting the decreased harmfulness of these products," she said.

In the tobacco industry, Gontkovicova pointed out that regulations open to innovation have proven effective in reducing smoking rates. She referenced research indicating that smoking prevalence has declined in countries encouraging the use of innovative smoke-free products, such as Japan and New Zealand.

“Where the smoke-free products are available, the smoking prevalence decreases,” she pointed out.

With the proportionated regulations and tax policies, nicotine products can be managed wisely without hindering access for adult smokers. Moreover, education and expanded access play equally important roles. For this reason, PMI strives to foster collaboration among various stakeholders.

Meanwhile, PMI as a company will continue innovating smoke-free products to reach more adult smokers worldwide. Since 2008, the company has invested USD 12.5 billion to develop, scientifically substantiate, and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke. PMI's smoke-free nicotine product portfolio, including heated tobacco, e-vapor and oral smokeless nicotine pouch products, currently is available in 92 markets worldwide.

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