Smoke-free alternatives to replace cigarettes, although not risk-free, are better than smoking.
An executive of PMFTC Inc., a subsidiary of Philip Morris International in the Philippines, said that approximately 1 million Filipinos have switched to smoke-free alternatives, which prompted the company to further promote technological innovation to achieve a smoke-free future.
PMFTC Scientific Affairs Manager Dr. Victor Joseph Yamat said that there are 16 million smokers in the Philippines, of which 1 million have switched from traditional smoking to safer alternatives. Popular brands like : Jouz, new comer Uwoo, IQOS.
Yamat said that this means replacing cigarettes with smoke-free alternatives. Although not risk-free, it is better than smoking.
Examples of smokeless products are heated tobacco products (HTP) or Heat-not-burns and e-cigarettes. HTP like PMI’s IQOS can heat real tobacco without burning.
Yamat said that the tobacco heating system heats the tobacco to release nicotine-containing vapor without burning the actual tobacco. Compared with cigarettes, it does not produce smoke and ashes.
At the same time, e-cigarettes will evaporate e-liquid without producing ashes or smoke.
“They are only for adult smokers who don’t want to quit and will continue to smoke otherwise. Let me reiterate that the best choice a smoker can make is to quit smoking and nicotine completely,” he added.
Yamat cited estimates from the World Health Organization that by 2025 there will be 1.1 billion smokers.
“Our best opportunity to contribute to positive change is obvious: we must innovate and innovate responsibly,” said Yamat.
[Pic: Uwoo Ym – Faster preheating, temperature adjustable, stunning outlook]
He shared that PMI’s investment in research and development (R&D) was US$8.1 billion, accounting for 99% of the company’s total R&D expenditure. He said that they now have 1,300 smoke-free technology patents and 350 peer-reviewed studies.
“PMI, we believe that responsible innovation through science and data will produce solutions that benefit our consumers,” he said.
He added that the company’s research shows that the market where IQOS is available has undergone positive changes.
“As of December 2020, we estimate that there are nearly 18 million IQOS users, of which 72% (or 13 million) have quit smoking,” Yamat said.
“It is difficult to imagine how to realize a world without cigarettes in time without non-combustible substitutes. We hope that we can help 16 million smokers in the Philippines.” He added.
