According to a report from Cinco Dias on February 22, Philip Morris International (PMI) has halted the launch of alternative products to traditional cigarettes in Spain, as well as related investments, pending the issuance of a Royal Decree by the Ministry of Health.
During an interview with Cinco dias, Marco Hannappel, Vice President of Philip Morris International (PMI) for the Southwest Europe region, stated that "before the regulatory framework is clear, we cannot consider investing in and launching products that may be aborted." This includes regulations in Italy and Spain, two major markets.
The executive admitted to being interested in launching ZYN nicotine pouches in Spain.
Providing all alternative products in our product lineup to Spanish consumers is our way of achieving a smoke-free future. However, due to ongoing regulatory discussions, this issue has not yet been discussed.
In December 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Health concluded a public hearing to receive proposals for reforming Royal Decree 579/2017, introducing regulations for regulating nicotine pouches. Previously, Spain had adjusted its regulations in accordance with EU directives, harmonizing legislation on heated tobacco and traditional cigarettes, banning added flavors, and requiring health warnings on packaging.
Hannapel stated that Spain should not simply treat heated tobacco products the same as traditional cigarettes in terms of regulation. He noted that Belgium's ban on heated tobacco products was due to equating them with traditional cigarettes, while countries such as Japan, Greece, Italy, and Portugal have promoted the development of heated tobacco products through reasonable regulatory frameworks and tax policies.
According to the financial data released by Philip Morris International (PMI) by the end of 2024, the company's sales of heated tobacco products in Spain increased by 18.7% year-on-year, while sales of traditional cigarettes decreased by 3%. However, traditional cigarettes still hold a market share nearly 10 times that of heated tobacco products. Hannes Pierl, a spokesperson for PMI, stated that the market for heated tobacco products has rapidly developed in Spain over the past two years and still has great potential for the future.
The tobacco sales model in Italy is similar to that of Spain, with tobacco products being sold through tobacco specialty shops and advertising being restricted. However, the regulations in Italy do not clearly equate heated tobacco products with traditional cigarettes. The Spanish Ministry of Health approved a "Anti-Smoking Plan" last year, which pointed out that heated tobacco products are trying to attract consumers by emphasizing their lower harm compared to traditional cigarettes.
Philip Morris International (PMI) has set a target for 66% of its sales to come from non-traditional cigarette products by 2030. By the end of 2024, this figure is expected to be at 40%, with even higher numbers in the European market. Hanan Perl believes Europe will be the first region to achieve the 2030 target, but he also emphasizes the significant regulatory differences among the 27 member countries of the European Union.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
