Frequently asked questions about tobacco harm reduction

tobacco-harm-reduction

• Why does Philip Morris International want to replace cigarettes?

  Philip Morris International’s vision is to replace cigarettes with smoke-free products that—while not risk-free—are a far better choice than cigarette smoking. 
  
  That’s why PMI has invested over USD 10.5 billion in this area, and have 1,516 dedicated scientists, engineers, and technicians developing and assessing potentially less harmful alternatives to cigarettes.
  
  It’s the biggest shift in PMI's history. And it’s the right one for its consumers, its company, its shareholders, and society.

• Are Philip Morris International’s smoke-free products less harmful than cigarettes?

  Philip Morris International's entire R&D organization is focused on developing satisfying products that have the potential to be less harmful than cigarettes for adult smokers around the world.
  
  While not risk-free, PMI believes that these breakthrough smoke-free products have the potential to present less risk of harm than continued smoking—but the best choice is to quit or not to start smoking.
  
  PMI has set high standards, and have put in place a rigorous scientific assessment program for its smoke-free products.
  
  Studies on PMI's IQOS heated tobacco products are progressing rapidly, and the results are encouraging.

• What are Philip Morris International’s latest alternatives to smoking?

  Philip Morris International's portfolio consists of a variety of smoke-free products, which are are now available in 82 markets.
  
  PMI's leading smoke-free alternative is the IQOS heat-not-burn product, which releases nicotine and flavors without combustion. Because the tobacco is heated and not burned, the average levels of harmful chemicals are significantly reduced compared to cigarette smoke*.
  
  PMI also sell e-vapor products, including VEEV ONE and VEEV NOW, and oral smokeless products, which include snus and nicotine pouches.
  
  *Importantly, none of PMI's smoke-free products are risk-free and they deliver nicotine, which is addictive. The best choice is always to quit tobacco and nicotine altogether. However, for those adults who do not quit, switching to a smoke-free alternative represents a better choice than continuing to smoke.
  
  

• What are reduced-risk products?

  Reduced-risk products (“RRPs”) is the term PMI uses to refer to products that present, are likely to present, or have the potential to present less risk of harm to smokers who switch to these products versus continued smoking.
  
  Philip Morris International has a range of alternatives to smoking in various stages of development, scientific assessment, and commercialization. Because our RRPs do not burn tobacco, they produce far lower quantities of harmful and potentially harmful compounds than those found in cigarette smoke.

  PMI’s reduced-risk product portfolio includes heat-not-burn products, e-vapor products (aka vapes or e-cigarettes) and oral smokeless products, such as nicotine pouches and snus.

• How can the harm of tobacco be reduced?

  The best way to reduce the harm of tobacco is to quit tobacco and nicotine altogether. But for adults who would otherwise continue smoking, changing to a smoke-free alternative has the potential to reduce the harm of tobacco.
   
  PMI’s smoke-free products (such as vapes and heated tobacco products) contain nicotine, which is addictive, and are not risk-free. But because they significantly reduce the average levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes, they are a far better choice for adults than continuing to smoke.
  
  There is more detailed information on our science pages.