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.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Regulate Nicotine Pouches as Tobacco Products
Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Regulate Nicotine Pouches as Tobacco Products
The Oregon Senate voted 26–1 to pass Senate Bill 1571, a measure redefining tobacco products to include nicotine pouches and restricting their sale to individuals under 21.
Regulations
Feb.23
Azerbaijan moves to fine and confiscate e-cigarettes across supply chain; full ban expected April 1, 2026
Azerbaijan moves to fine and confiscate e-cigarettes across supply chain; full ban expected April 1, 2026
Azerbaijan is considering administrative penalties for the use, import, export, production, wholesale and retail sale, and storage for sale of e-cigarettes, including confiscation of products. The proposed amendments were discussed at a parliamentary committee meeting. The draft sets fine ranges for individuals, officials, and legal entities, and introduces a separate fine for vaping in prohibited places and public areas.
Feb.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Austria to Tighten Sales Rules for Nicotine Pouches and E-Liquids From April 1
Austria to Tighten Sales Rules for Nicotine Pouches and E-Liquids From April 1
Austria will introduce new sales rules for nicotine products from April 1, 2026. Under a reform of the tobacco law passed in December 2025, nicotine pouches will in future be sold only through tobacco shops, while e-liquids will be sold only through tobacco shops and licensed specialist stores. Other points of sale will no longer be permitted to sell these products.
Mar.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris International reports economic impact of over €3.3 billion from shift to smoke-free products in Spain
Philip Morris International reports economic impact of over €3.3 billion from shift to smoke-free products in Spain
Philip Morris International reports over €3.3 billion economic impact in Spain from shift to smoke-free products.
Apr.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Korean Vape Retailers Warn of Possible Store Closures After New Tobacco Rules Take Effect
Korean Vape Retailers Warn of Possible Store Closures After New Tobacco Rules Take Effect
South Korea’s revised Tobacco Business Act will take effect on April 24, bringing synthetic nicotine liquid vapes into the legal definition of tobacco and subjecting both retailers and manufacturers to formal regulation.
Apr.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Sesh Launches 200-Pouch Refill Bag, Expanding Retail Unit Size in U.S. Nicotine Pouch Market
Sesh Launches 200-Pouch Refill Bag, Expanding Retail Unit Size in U.S. Nicotine Pouch Market
According to a LinkedIn post published by Sesh CMO Josh Metz on February 25, 2026, Sesh Products has introduced a 200-pouch nicotine pouch refill bag sold with a reusable metal can. In a U.S. MO market dominated by 20-pouch plastic cans, the product offers a larger retail unit size. The company lists a standard price of USD 49.99, with a uniform 15% discount currently applied, bringing the price to USD 42.49.
Innovation
Feb.25