Public Support Innovative Approaches to Reducing Smoking Rates, Reveals New International Survey from Philip Morris Internati...
March 02 2021 - 4:02AM
Business Wire
Three in four adults agree that governments
should consider the role smoke-free products can play in tobacco
harm reduction
A new international survey commissioned by Philip Morris
International Inc. (PMI) (NYSE: PM) and conducted by independent
research firm Povaddo reveals a public appetite for a better
approach to reducing the societal harm caused by cigarettes. Seven
in ten respondents (71 percent) believe that encouraging those
adults who would otherwise continue to smoke to switch to
smoke-free alternatives instead can complement other efforts to
reduce harm.
Conducted in December 2020 among 22,500+ adults in 20 countries
and territories, the survey explores attitudes regarding the role
of smoke-free alternatives in improving public health. The results
reveal broad support for novel approaches to accelerating the
decline of cigarette smoking. Specifically, the survey found
that:
- 73 percent of adults agree that governments should consider the
role alternative products can play in making their country
smoke-free.
- 77 percent agree that adult smokers should have access to and
accurate information about smoke-free alternatives that have been
scientifically substantiated to be a better choice than continued
smoking.
- 67 percent of respondents say that if it is possible to end
cigarette sales in their country within 10 to 15 years (through
smokers quitting tobacco or switching to better, science-based
alternatives), their government should dedicate time and resources
to making that a reality.
Reducing smoking rates remains an important public health issue,
with three in four respondents (76 percent) believing it is
important for governments to dedicate time and resources to
achieving this goal. However, a majority (58 percent) believe that
more regulation and taxation of cigarettes will not be enough to
achieve a smoke-free future.
“Smoke-free products have already started to play an important
role in lowering smoking rates,” said Jacek Olczak, Chief Operating
Officer at PMI. “With the right regulatory encouragement, support
from civil society, and the full embrace of science, I believe it
is possible for the public’s call to be answered and for cigarette
sales to be a thing of the past in many countries within a decade
to a decade and a half.”
A majority of adults surveyed want to see a shift in the
societal approach to tobacco harm reduction, including more
collaboration between governments and tobacco companies. Moreover,
nearly seven in ten respondents (68 percent) support tobacco
companies working with governments, regulators, and public health
experts to ensure smokers have access to and accurate information
about the better, smoke-free alternatives science has made
available. Further, eight in ten respondents believe both
governments (88 percent) and businesses (81 percent) have a
responsibility to embrace the latest scientific and technological
developments.
Survey Methodology
The survey was fielded between December 8 and 24 among 22,507
general population adults aged 21 and older in 20 countries and
territories: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong,
Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, the
Philippines, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the
United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam.
Philip Morris International: Delivering a Smoke-Free
Future
Philip Morris International (PMI) is leading a transformation in
the tobacco industry to create a smoke-free future and ultimately
replace cigarettes with smoke-free products to the benefit of
adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, society, the company
and its shareholders. PMI is a leading international tobacco
company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, as well
as smoke-free products, associated electronic devices and
accessories, and other nicotine-containing products in markets
outside the U.S. In addition, PMI ships versions of its IQOS
Platform 1 device and consumables to Altria Group, Inc. for sale
under license in the U.S., where these products have received
marketing authorizations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) under the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA)
pathway; the FDA has also authorized the marketing of a version of
IQOS and its consumables as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP),
finding that an exposure modification order for these products is
appropriate to promote the public health. PMI is building a future
on a new category of smoke-free products that, while not risk-free,
are a much better choice than continuing to smoke. Through
multidisciplinary capabilities in product development,
state-of-the-art facilities and scientific substantiation, PMI aims
to ensure that its smoke-free products meet adult consumer
preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. PMI's smoke-free
product portfolio includes heat-not-burn and nicotine-containing
vapor products. As of December 31, 2020, IQOS is available for sale
in 64 markets in key cities or nationwide, and PMI estimates that
approximately 12.7 million adults around the world have already
switched to IQOS and stopped smoking. For more information, please
visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com.
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David Fraser Philip Morris International T. +41 (0)79 843 8603
E. david.fraser@pmi.com
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