Nume Ekeghe
Philip Morris International (PMI), has sressed the need to end combustible smoking in the country in order to have a smoke-free future that encourages sustainable products.
This, according to them, is to reduce smoke-related diseases associated with over 6000 chemicals in tobacco smoke with 100 being classified as intoxicants.
Speaking at a media conference in Lagos, the head of Scientific Engagement, for Middle East Africa, PMI, Ignazio Suarez, noted that the firm, which has been operating in Europe and other continents has decided to storm the African market with varieties of improved tobacco products.
He said their product, which is aimed at providing alternatives to smokers shall be made available to the Nigerian market when all necessary processes and procedures with regulatory agencies as well as public enlightenment are met.
According to him, “ The essence of our product is not to stop smoking but to reduce risk involved with new products with less toxicants.”
He, however, stressed that as an international company they have invested over $8.1 billion in smoke-free products that are thoroughly researched with over 430 experts for scientific-evidence.
“The best thing in tobacco management is cessation, but our products through a six months trial showed all co-primary endpoints shift in the same direction as when a user embraces cessation.
“For those who are ready smoking, we have varieties of Electronic Heated Tobacco Product (EHTPs) without combustion and less nicotine and intoxicants that are globally competing in the international markets, “he noted.
He added that the utility derived from this product of research and development is more fascinating than what has been evoked.
For the Director External Affairs, PMI, Harouna LY, the company remained committed to promote a smoke-free future, to discourage people from smoking combustible products, especially those within the legal age allowed by law.
“We need a find the enable environment to do so through taxation, policy, standardization as we in the business of finding alternative for the one billion people and if there is no right stimulus the journey cannot be achieved.
“Our investment is tended towards converting our factories from combustible to non-smoke free world. Our environmental footprint cuts across from seedling to end users as we are only the company to pledge to move away from combustible to smoke- free products, ”he said.
He added that the firm is still in the process of meeting the requirements of Nigeria regulatory bodies and other necessary steps before proper launch.
According to him, the aim is to see a society free of combustible smoking because it is very difficult to stop smoking entirely.
Meanwhile, the Director External Affairs, Pan African Enterprise, PMI Duty Free, MEA, Ms. Mojisola Akpata, acknowledged the need for regulatory agencies in the country to ensure that youth and non-smokers should not take tobacco products.
She said, “We are advocating for a situation where regulatory agencies in the country will engage in post market surveillance as we want the right standards and policy for the industry we operate in. With the right regulatory encouragement and support from civil society, we can deliver a smoke-free future more quickly than relying on traditional measures alone.”
