PMI Announces Plans to Scale Back Russian Operations

Apr.08.2022
PMI announces steps to suspend investments and reduce manufacturing operations in Russia, as well as plans to exit the market.

Following the announcement made on March 9, 2022, Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) announced today the specific measures they have taken to temporarily halt investment plans and reduce their manufacturing business in Russia. PMI has taken the following actions:


Philip Morris International (PMI) has stopped offering some cigarette products in the market and reduced manufacturing activities accordingly. It has also halted marketing activities in the country and cancelled plans to launch all products, including its IQOS ILUMA flagship heated tobacco product in Russia by 2022. Plans to produce over 20 billion TEREA sticks (used for IQOS ILUMA) in Russia and invest $150 million have also been cancelled. Additionally, PMI's board of directors and senior executives are exploring options for an orderly exit from the Russian market due to the increasingly complex and rapidly changing regulatory and operational environment.


In the past four weeks, our main focus and all efforts have been to ensure the safety and security of our colleagues in Ukraine. We stand in solidarity with innocent men, women, and children who are suffering. "We employ over 3,200 people in Russia," said CEO Jacek Olczak. "We will continue to support them, including paying their salaries, and we will fulfill our legal obligations. Our priority will be to make decisions based on their safety and security.


As previously reported, Russia accounted for nearly 10% of PMI's total shipments in 2021, representing approximately 6% of the company's net income. PMI is set to release its Q1 2022 earnings announcement on April 21, 2022, which will include updated financial projections for the year.


Philip Morris International: Achieving a Smoke-Free Future


Philip Morris International (PMI) is a leading international tobacco company committed to achieving a smoke-free future and long-term development of its investment portfolio to include products beyond the tobacco and nicotine sectors. The company's current product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including non-combustible heated, vapor, and orally consumed nicotine products, sold in markets outside the United States. Since 2008, PMI has invested over $9 billion to develop, scientifically validate, and commercialize smoke-free products for adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking, with the goal of completely phasing out cigarette sales. This includes establishing world-class scientific evaluation capabilities, particularly in pre-clinical systematic toxicology, clinical and behavioural research, and post-market studies. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized PMI's IQOS platform 1 device and consumables for marketing as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP), concluding that the exposure modifications are appropriate for promoting public health. As of December 31, 2021, PMI's smoke-free products are available in 71 markets, and PMI estimates that approximately 15.3 million adult smokers have switched to IQOS and quit smoking globally. With a strong foundation in life sciences and expertise, PMI announced in February 2021 its ambitious expansion into the healthcare and medical sector, offering innovative products and solutions to meet unmet patient and consumer needs.


Link to original article:


The Philip Morris International (PMI) has announced the specific steps it will take to reduce its business operations in the Russian Federation, as well as its intent to withdraw from the market.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) announced that it will open “IQOS Flagship Ginza” in Tokyo on September 4, 2026. The location will become the first global flagship space for PMI’s IQOS brand. PMJ said the venue will target adult smokers aged 20 and above and combine product experiences, community engagement and local cultural elements. The design will incorporate Japanese natural aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship. The launch reflects PMI’s broader strategy of strengthening consumer engagement through experiential retail and brand spaces. The existing IQOS Store Ginza is scheduled to close on August 30, 2026.
Jul.21
Philip Morris Romania Executive on Smoke-Free Strategy: How IQOS Spaces Are Moving Beyond Retail to Consumer Connection
Philip Morris Romania Executive on Smoke-Free Strategy: How IQOS Spaces Are Moving Beyond Retail to Consumer Connection
In an interview with Romanian marketing publication IQads, Marek Gębski, Director of Smoke-Free Products at Philip Morris Romania, said IQOS experience spaces are evolving from traditional retail locations into platforms for consumer engagement and brand connection. Through locations such as IQOS Boutique Victoriei, PMI aims to use design, culture and consumer experiences to strengthen communication with adult consumers about smoke-free products. The interview highlights how tobacco companies are expanding smoke-free strategies beyond products toward experiential marketing and consumer relationships.
Aug.11
2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
As InterTabac 2026 approaches, Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe, tells 2Firsts that global tobacco trade fairs are evolving beyond product display. With new nicotine categories, shifting regulation and more complex supply chains reshaping the industry, InterTabac is positioning itself as a platform for market insight, regulatory discussion and global business connection.
Special Report
Jul.02
Iowa Enforces Vape Registry Law as Retailers Warn Product Limits Could Increase Store Pressure
Iowa Enforces Vape Registry Law as Retailers Warn Product Limits Could Increase Store Pressure
Iowa has begun enforcing its vape registry law, requiring vape products to be registered before they can be legally sold in the state. The move follows a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to lift an injunction that had blocked enforcement. Retailers have warned that tighter product availability rules could increase pressure on vape shops. One Iowa retailer said that if only a limited number of products remain available, many stores could face significant business challenges.
Aug.06
BAT Calls for Retailer Input in Future Nicotine Regulations
BAT Calls for Retailer Input in Future Nicotine Regulations
British American Tobacco (BAT) has called for stronger retailer involvement in shaping future nicotine product regulations in the UK, arguing that frontline market feedback should be considered during policy development. BAT said retailers provide direct insight into consumer behavior, market changes and regulatory implementation challenges. The comments come as the UK nicotine market undergoes regulatory changes, including the disposable vape ban, Vaping Products Duty and efforts to address illicit vape sales.
Jul.29
Product | APUS Launches Chloe 50K, Bringing Purse-Inspired Design to the U.S. High-Puff Disposable Market
Product | APUS Launches Chloe 50K, Bringing Purse-Inspired Design to the U.S. High-Puff Disposable Market
APUS has introduced the Chloe 50K disposable vape, which has appeared across U.S.-facing online retail channels including Element Vape and Vapesourcing. The device combines a purse-inspired body and chain attachment with a 20ml e-liquid capacity, 1,250mAh rechargeable battery, dual mesh coil, and battery and e-liquid indicators. It is rated for up to 50,000 puffs. The product does not appear on the FDA’s current list of authorized e-cigarettes, and U.S. retail availability does not indicate FDA marketing authorization.
Jul.15