Philip Morris International’s Push for Smokefree Alternatives Gains Momentum in Low and Middle-Income Countries
As smoking-related diseases continue to disproportionately affect low and middle-income countries (LMICs), Philip Morris International (PMI) is intensifying its efforts to promote smokefree alternatives as part of a broader harm reduction strategy. The company’s recently released 2025 Value Report highlights significant progress in reducing smoking-related health risks by shifting adult smokers away from traditional cigarettes toward scientifically backed smokefree products (SFPs).
By the end of 2025, PMI reported that 43.5 million adults globally are using its smokefree products, which are now available in 106 markets. Notably, more than half of these markets are LMICs, signaling a critical expansion of harm reduction solutions beyond high-income regions. Smokefree products contributed $16.9 billion in net revenues, making up 41.5% of PMI’s total revenues and underscoring the commercial viability of this transition.
A Focus on Harm Reduction
PMI’s smokefree products, which eliminate combustion and significantly reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, are central to its strategy. This shift aligns with the company’s broader goal of creating value across financial and non-financial areas, as outlined in its renamed Value Report (formerly the Integrated Report).
For LMICs, where smoking cessation support is often limited and healthcare systems are strained, access to lower-risk alternatives is seen as a vital component of comprehensive tobacco control. Alongside prevention and cessation programs, smokefree products offer a pragmatic solution for adult smokers who may otherwise continue using combustible cigarettes.
Addressing Youth Access and Supply Chain Concerns
The report also emphasizes safeguards, particularly in emerging markets. PMI has implemented youth access prevention programs covering 98% of its shipment volume in indirect retail channels, addressing concerns about underage access in complex retail environments. This focus is especially relevant in regions where informal retail dominates, helping to build regulatory confidence in differentiated policies for combustible tobacco and harm reduction alternatives.
Beyond product innovation, PMI highlights progress on social and environmental fronts. The company reports zero prevalence of child labor in its tobacco supply chain and notes that 99.6% of contracted tobacco farmers earned a living income in 2025. Environmentally, PMI achieved carbon neutrality, reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46% compared to 2019 levels.
Sustainability and Affordability in LMICs
Operational circularity is another key focus, enabling affordability and sustainability in price-sensitive LMIC markets. Since 2021, PMI has refreshed or repaired 1.36 million smokefree devices, ensuring longer product lifecycles. All newly launched smokefree devices meet eco-design certification requirements, further supporting sustainability goals.
A Measurable Impact on Global Health
Despite persistent smoking rates in LMICs, PMI’s report underscores the potential of smokefree alternatives to drive measurable health improvements when combined with responsible regulation, youth protection, and environmental action. The company’s approach illustrates how tobacco harm reduction can progress from aspiration to tangible impact, contributing to a reduction in smoking-related harms without relying on any single solution.
As the global health community continues to tackle smoking-related challenges, PMI’s efforts signal a proactive shift toward harm reduction strategies that prioritize accessibility, sustainability, and social responsibility.
— Reported by Nexio News
