Image from www.iqos.com
The nationwide expansion of PMFTC Inc.’s e-commerce distribution coverage which carries its flagship smoke-free product, IQOS, for Filipino adult smokers 21 years old and above who would otherwise continue to smoke is expected to accelerate the company’s aim to deliver a smoke-free future in the Philippines.
“Making IQOS accessible in key areas across the Philippines will help fast track PMFTC’s commitment towards achieving our vision of a smoke-free future. This is in line with PMI’s goal to help adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke to move away from cigarettes as quickly as possible and switch to a better alternative,” PMFTC’s President Denis Gorkun said.
PMFTC Inc., the local affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), began the commercialization of its heated tobacco products in Metro Manila last year through the IQOS.COM website, the IQOS Stores located in major shopping malls, and select tobacconists/retail stores. Currently carried by select 7/11 branches in the National Capital Region, the heat sticks used with the device will also be available at select branches in South and Central Luzon by end of July.
With the expansion of its e-commerce coverage, delivery of heated tobacco devices and heat sticks will now be possible in North and Central Luzon including Baguio City and La Trinidad; Calumpit, Bulacan; Cabanatuan City, Santa Rosa, Aliaga, Jaen, Peñaranda, Palayan, Zaragoza in Nueva Ecija; and San Fernando City, Bacolor, Santa Rita, Guagua, Apalit, Mexico, Santo Tomas, Santa Ana, Arayat, Floridablanca, Minalin and Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
IQOS devices use a patented HeatControl™ Technology that precisely heats, without burning, tobacco-filled sticks wrapped in paper called HEETS™ to release a water-based aerosol. Unlike cigarettes, IQOS does not burn tobacco and therefore produces no smoke and no ash.
Gorkun noted that heated tobacco products are not risk free and that the best option for smokers is still to quit cigarettes and nicotine products. He, however, said that “for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke, non-combustible alternatives like IQOS are better options.”
PMI is undergoing internal transformation focused on developing, scientifically substantiating, and responsibly commercializing smoke-free products that are better alternatives to smoking, with the aim of replacing cigarettes as soon as possible.
The World Health Organization estimates that the number of smokers today, at 1.1 billion worldwide, will not change by 2025 despite the implementation of strict tobacco control measures. In the Philippines, it’s estimated that there are 17 million smokers, while smoking is linked to 117,000 deaths annually. Meanwhile, the quit rate remains at 4 percent according to a 2015 study conducted in 2015.
Stressing PMI’s commitment to its smoke-free vision, new CEO Jacek Olczak said he is humbled and excited to lead PMI “as we accelerate our transformation into a smoke-free company.”
He said PMI “is an industry leader in scientific innovation, and our ambition is that more than half of our net revenues will come from smoke-free products in 2025.”
While cigarette sales remain a large part of PMI’s business in most countries, Olczak said PMI has completely stopped investing in the development of combustible cigarettes.
He said those who follow PMI would have noticed this rapid change. “Today, essentially or 99 percent of our research and development budget is spent on new products,” he said, noting that 76 percent of the company’s commercial expenditures are fully dedicated to smoke-free products.
IQOS devices and heat sticks are only for adult consumers 21 years old and above who wish to continue using tobacco products or other nicotine-containing products. The IQOS e-commerce website requires age verification upon entry, while presentation of a valid ID is required upon delivery of the product to the consumer.
