2030 cigarette ban in some countries
Interviewed by the Sunday
Telegraph, the CEO of Philip Morris International (Marlboro, Chesterfield ...)
bets on a world "without cigarettes".
While his company
(separated from Philip Morris USA) wants to reorient its business.
"We can see the world
without cigarettes. And in fact, the sooner it happens, the better it is for
everyone," Jacek Olczak said.
"With the right
regulations and the right information, it can happen in 10 years in some
countries.
And you can solve the
problem once and for all."
In this case, the CEO was
referring to the UK, but Japan could also be a frontrunner.
Marlboro boss calls for cigarette ban
The boss's exit is,
however, consistent with the new ambitions of Philip Morris International,
which manufactures Marlboro, Chesterfield, or L&M cigarettes.
For several years, the
company has been looking to move out of the cigarette market for alternatives
deemed less harmful.
Although, controversial such
as heated tobacco and electronic cigarettes.
The group is also looking
closely at the medical sector.
In early July, the company
announced Friday an agreement to buy for a billion pounds Vectura.
Which is a British company
specializing in medical inhalers to treat diseases including ... smoking.
In 2008, Philip Morris
International separated from Philip Morris USA, which sells for the US only, is
now owned by another tobacco giant Altria.
Medical turnaround about cigarettes
For several years, the PGD
of Philip Morris International is indeed seeking to leave the conventional
tobacco market to focus on its alternatives.
It was considered by some
as less harmful.
In the line of sight of
the giant, including heated tobacco and electronic cigarettes.
The tobacco giant is now
also interested in the medical sector.
Indeed, in early July, the
company announced an agreement to buy Vectura, for one billion euros.
The British company
specializes in medical inhalers and care to treat diseases related ... smoking!
A buyout that sets the
tone for the future of Philip Morris, after years of promoting cigarettes
around the world.
Statements considered hypocritical by some
Anti-smoking groups are
denouncing the hypocrisy of Philip Morris, as well as other global tobacco
giants.
They position themselves
"as part of the solution for a smoke-free world, while continuing to
aggressively sell and promote deadly cigarettes worldwide."
Ian Walker, executive
director of Cancer Research UK, a major British cancer charity, told the Sunday
Telegraph.
According to the World
Health Organization (WHO), tobacco causes more than 8 million deaths worldwide
each year.
Anti-smoking campaigners
also, point out that Philip Morris executives have made similar statements in
the past, without any real action to back them up.
In 2016, Jacek Olczak's
predecessor, Andre Calantzopoulos, had expressed his desire for his company to
stop selling cigarettes.
In 2018, he had reiterated
his statements, saying he imagines a future without cigarettes for his group.
At the beginning of 2020,
in Figaro, he had made similar comments to those of Jacek Olczak today.
"In some countries,
we could manage, in 10-15 years, to bring down the number of smokers to 3% of the population and then stop smoking".
