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PMFTC Inc., an affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), opened its first four IQOS stores on Friday in the Philippines, making a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes available to Filipino adult smokers 21 years and older than otherwise. they would like to continue smoking or using nicotine-containing products.
The newly opened IQOS stores are located at Eastwood Mall in Libis, Quezon City, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM Southmall in Las Piñas City, and Estancia Mall in Pasig City. The stores offer PMI’s smoke-free product line, devices, heating rods and a full range of accessories.
IQOS devices use proprietary heat control technology that precisely heats paper-wrapped tobacco sticks, without burning them, to release a water-based spray, not smoke.
“The opening of the first IQOS stores in the Philippines is a significant step towards achieving our vision of a smoke-free future. The vision of PMFTC is to help adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke to quit as quickly as possible and switch to a better alternative, ”said PMFTC President Denis Gorkun.
PMI is making this happen with an investment of more than $ 7 billion in research, development and production capabilities to create smoke-free products.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an order on July 7, 2020, authorizing IQOS and heating rods to be marketed in the United States with a reduced exposure statement, adding that their issuance of said order is appropriate for the promotion of public health. In the United States, IQOS is the first heated tobacco product to receive such an exposure modification order.
“The US FDA decision shows that IQOS is a fundamentally different tobacco product compared to cigarettes and a better option for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke,” Gorkun said.
“We see smoke-free products as an opportunity to reduce the incidence of smoking in the Philippines for the benefit of public health and society in general,” said Gorkun.
“We are implementing age verification and access restriction to ensure that only consumers of legal age, 21 years or older, have access to the store, the e-commerce website and tobacco products. The presentation of valid government-issued identification is required before any product is delivered to the consumer, ”added Gorkun.
There are an estimated 16 million smokers in the Philippines, and globally, despite strict tobacco control measures, the World Health Organization estimates that there will still be one billion smokers in 2025, the same level as in the present.
“The best thing a smoker can do is quit cigarettes and nicotine products altogether. But the harsh reality is that there will be adults who will continue to smoke. For those who do not choose to quit, we now have a product that does not burn tobacco, ”said PMFTC Director of Communications Dave Gomez.
“Public health experts agree that burns are the number one problem for people who get sick from smoking. Nicotine, while not risk-free and addictive, is not the leading cause of smoking-related illnesses. It’s the smoke, “added Gomez.
PMFTC research showed that 60 percent of current Filipino adult smokers are willing to try smoke-free alternatives as long as they are commercially available and meet production quality standards.
IQOS Heat Control technology heats tobacco instead of burning it to deliver the true taste of real tobacco. Unlike cigarettes, IQOS does not burn tobacco and therefore does not produce smoke or ash.
Gorkun said that when IQOS is used, the aerosol dissipates faster than cigarette smoke. “Since IQOS produces a less persistent odor than cigarettes, it is less likely to disturb the people around you,” he added.
On April 24, 2020, HEETS for use with the IQOS device was made available to users over 21 years of age through selected tobacconists / retail stores such as FUMA, Lighters Galore, Green Puff and DJ Shop in Metro Manila . On August 7, 2020, the heating rods were also available at select 7/11 locations in Metro Manila.
On June 5, 2020, the IQOS.COM website was launched where the IQOS devices were offered, as well as the heating rods and device accessories.
Committed to ensuring that access to IQOS devices and heating rods is only limited to adult consumers 21 years of age or older who wish to continue using tobacco or other nicotine-containing products, IQOS stores strictly practice age verification. and they adhere to Good Conversion Practices, which is a global standard observed throughout PMI.
