Frequently asked questions about tobacco harm reduction

tobacco-harm-reduction

• Why does Philip Morris International want to replace cigarettes?

  PMI’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 we’ve invested over USD 10.5 billion in this area, and have more than 980 dedicated scientists, engineers, and technicians developing and assessing potentially less harmful alternatives to cigarettes.
  
  It’s the biggest shift in our history. And it’s the right one for our consumers, our company, our shareholders, and society.

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

  Our 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, we believe that our 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.
  
  We have set high standards for ourselves, and have put in place a rigorous scientific assessment program for our smoke-free products.
  
  Studies on our IQOS heated tobacco products are progressing rapidly, and the results are encouraging.

• What are Philip Morris International’s latest smoke-free products?

  Philip Morris International's portfolio consists of a variety of smoke-free products, which are are now available in 73 markets.
  
  Our most advanced smoke-free product is the IQOS tobacco heating system, 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*.
  
  One of our products without tobacco which produces a nicotine-containing vapor is IQOS VEEV, an e-vapor product, with a heating technology that represents a new approach to vapor generation.
  
  We also have oral smokeless products, which include nicotine pouches and snus. 
  
  *Importantly, none of our 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.
  
  PMI has a range of RRPs 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.
  

• 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 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.