Global Tobacco Giants Invest $1.15 Billion in Alternatives to Smoking

In 2021, the world's two largest tobacco companies, BAT and Philip Morris International (PMI), invested a total of $1.15 billion in the research and development of risk-free alternatives to combustible cigarettes.

Hugo Tan, the head of scientific research for British American Tobacco in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions, has stated that BAT invested $589 million last year in the development of new products. Tan told Arab News that the company is investing in heated tobacco and e-cigarette products in order to achieve its goal of ending combustible cigarette use. This goal has gained widespread acceptance and adoption in many countries, including the US, UK, Germany, France, and others.

PMI began researching smokeless products as early as 2008, and has since invested over 9 billion USD in this field. According to their website, PMI employs over 930 scientists, engineers, and technical staff dedicated to establishing scientific assessment capabilities. In 2021, PMI reported a total expenditure of 566 million USD on smokeless product research and development, a 14% increase from the 495 million USD spent in 2020.

In order to assess the potential risk reduction of our smoke-free products, we have developed a comprehensive scientific evaluation plan inspired by pharmaceutical industry standard practices and in line with evaluation guidelines provided by the FDA," said Ignacio Gonzalez Suarez, Head of Science Engagement for PMI in the Middle East and Africa.

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