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A Renewed Approach to Accelerate Progress
By Jacek Olczak, Chief Executive Officer, Philip Morris International
This will be a year of important decisions on how we rebuild, reset, and address the many challenges ahead.
From improving the economy and ensuring better health for all to combating climate change and reducing smoking rates, the task at hand is both sizeable and complex. The response to our most immediate challenge—the global COVID-19 pandemic—although far from perfect or complete, has reminded us that significant progress can be made when science prevails and everyone works together with a sense of urgency and a common purpose. Could this example inspire a new approach when confronting other global issues?
As far as addressing smoking is concerned, I know for a fact that there’s significant opportunity for progress. We can achieve a smoke-free future. And we can get there faster if regulators and the public health community embrace a more contemporary and science-driven approach, one that encourages innovation and invites open collaboration.
Crucially, society expects nothing less. According to a new international survey conducted by research firm Povaddo and commissioned by Philip Morris International (PMI), a significant majority (73 percent) of the 22,500 respondents want governments to consider the role alternative products can play in making their country smoke-free. And 71 percent agreed that encouraging men and women who would otherwise continue to smoke to completely switch to smoke-free alternatives can complement other efforts to reduce the societal harm caused by cigarettes.
For PMI, our objective, path, and pace are clear. We’ve made the decision to focus our resources on developing, scientifically substantiating, and responsibly commercializing smoke-free products, with the aim of completely replacing cigarettes as soon as possible. In fact, we believe that with the right regulatory encouragement and support from civil society, cigarette sales can end within 10 to 15 years in many countries.
A smoke-free future is possible. And decisions made this year can define the speed at which we’ll get there. With the 9th Conference of Parties of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control convening in November, there is opportunity for governments to assess the science behind smoke-free alternatives, examine the facts, and decide how best to enable people who would otherwise continue to smoke to make better choices for themselves.
To be clear, the best choice is to quit cigarettes and nicotine altogether. And the efforts to protect minors from smoking, prevent initiation, and promote cessation must continue to be a priority. But we cannot deny the opportunity for those adults who don’t quit to switch to better alternatives.
Society’s desire for a new approach in addressing smoking is clear. Better choices exist for people who would otherwise continue to smoke. If we let science lead and encourage fact-based, transparent conversations among all stakeholders who can contribute to change, I am convinced we can get to a smoke-free future faster. There is neither time to waste nor room for ideologies and unsubstantiated beliefs.
Solutions are born out of facts, collaboration, and open minds.
