A survey of 44,622 adults across 22 countries has revealed a strong public appetite for leaders to consider the views of all—not just those at the extremes—when finding solutions to the world’s most persistent problems, including smoking.
Progress toward a smoke-free future will only happen if all voices are included and heard.
A balanced approach encourages collaboration, compromise, and a willingness to consider all sides of an argument. In PMI’s latest international survey, 90 percent of respondents believe that to solve the most pressing societal challenges, leaders need to consider all perspectives—even those that run counter to their own.
This inclusive environment—unlike those divided by the polarized mindsets of the few—provides fertile ground for the development and delivery of solutions created by all, for all.
The survey also shows 82 percent of respondents believe real progress on the most pressing global issues is achievable when a middle ground can be found between the extremes.
Giving a voice to those most impacted
In the case of tobacco harm reduction, the opportunity exists to advance a people-centric, scientifically substantiated approach to accelerate the end of cigarettes.
Yet, smokers—the people that matter most in efforts toward a smoke-free future—are being excluded from the conversation.
At PMI, we are focused on making cigarettes a thing of the past—replacing them with better smoke-free alternatives for those adults who would otherwise continue to smoke.
To be clear, the best choice any smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine altogether. But many don’t—and these adult smokers deserve access to and accurate information about smoke-free alternatives. These products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. However, they are a better choice than continued smoking.
Helping smokers starts with
hearing smokers
Grounds for progress and compromise are often found when everyone’s invited, and when they’re willing to listen and consider all sides of an argument.
“Today, we have the know-how, technology, and resources required to respond to many of our global challenges,” said Gregoire Verdeaux, PMI’s Senior Vice President, External Affairs.
Using science to find compromise
An increasingly divided discourse risks decisions being made that aren’t necessarily in the best interests of everyone.
It is also a breeding ground for misinformation, which only serves to confuse the public and makes it hard for people to decipher fact from fiction.
At PMI, we understand the importance of leveraging science and facts to inform the decisions we make and the products we develop.
Since 2008, we have invested more than USD 9 billion to develop, scientifically substantiate, and commercialize our smoke-free products, employing more than 980 world-class scientists, engineers, and technicians to help us achieve our vision of a smoke-free future.
Better access means faster progress
Existing efforts to prevent initiation and promote smoking cessation can be complemented by strategies that enable adult smokers to have access to science-based alternatives, and accurate information about them.
The inclusion of a harm-reduction approach in policies aimed at decreasing smoking prevalence has the potential to accelerate the end of cigarettes and, in turn, provide a monumental boost to public health.
Download the full survey
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