PMI invests $150m in Philippine no-burn tobacco production

Sep.30.2022
PMI invests $150m in Philippine no-burn tobacco production
Philip Morris invests 8.8 billion Philippine pesos to produce smoke-free tobacco pods in the Philippines, with estimated commercial production in 2023.

Philip Morris International will invest PHP 8.8 billion ($150 million) to start producing tobacco pods for smokeless heating in the Philippines, with the aim of moving away from traditional cigarettes.


Commercial production is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023 in a local joint venture between the US Tobacco Group and the billionaire Lucio Tan's corporate group, LT Group, under the name PMFTC.


This will mark PMI's first production of heated tobacco sticks in the Philippines. PMI announced at a press conference on Wednesday that production will take place at an existing cigarette factory in Batangas province on the island of Luzon.


PMI's handheld IQOS device heats tobacco without burning it, producing vapor but not smoke or ash. PMFTC brought IQOS to the Philippines in 2020.


PMI has announced that this investment will create 220 job openings and utilize tobacco plants grown in the Philippines.


It is estimated that over 20% of adults in the Philippines smoke, which is a higher percentage compared to Japan.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information for the purpose of industry discussion and learning.


This article does not reflect the viewpoint of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The article is compiled solely for industry-based communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in translation ability, the translated article may not accurately express the original content. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


In regards to any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign statements and positions, 2FIRSTS is fully aligned with the Chinese government.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.



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.

Australia Tobacco Tax Debate Spreads Within Labor as NSW Premier Minns Reaffirms Support for a Cut
Australia Tobacco Tax Debate Spreads Within Labor as NSW Premier Minns Reaffirms Support for a Cut
Australia’s tobacco excise debate is increasingly exposing differences within the governing Labor Party. New South Wales Labor Premier Chris Minns reaffirmed on September 8 that he supports reducing tobacco excise, arguing that current tax settings are pushing consumers toward cheaper black-market cigarettes. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler continues to oppose an excise cut, while Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino have recently stopped short of ruling out future changes. The divergence follows the opposition Coalition’s proposal to cut tobacco excise by 80%.
Sep.08
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona's First Things First is pushing for an excise tax equal to 50% of the retail price of vaping products, estimating that the measure could generate about $100 million annually. The agency says its tobacco-tax revenue has fallen 47% from 2008 levels. Arizona has attempted to broaden its nicotine tax base in each of the past two years: a 2025 bill proposed a 50% wholesale-price tax, while a 2026 measure shifted to a 50% retail-price tax covering alternative nicotine products and vapor products. Separately, the state enacted HB 4001 this year to establish a new licensing and sales framework for alternative nicotine products.
Sep.21
Australia Brings in Deloitte to Support Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Across Data, Processes and Project Delivery
Australia Brings in Deloitte to Support Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Across Data, Processes and Project Delivery
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has hired Deloitte to provide data analytics, business-process, communications and project-delivery support to the Office of the Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner. The government says Deloitte personnel do not provide policy advice to the Commissioner or the Australian government, with policy development and decision-making remaining with public officials. The arrangement has nevertheless drawn scrutiny because Deloitte has previously provided professional services to several tobacco and vaping companies.
Sep.03
Product | JTI Philippines Expands Nordic Spirit Nicotine Pouch Portfolio With Dark Pop and Red Frost
Product | JTI Philippines Expands Nordic Spirit Nicotine Pouch Portfolio With Dark Pop and Red Frost
JTI Philippines has expanded the Nordic Spirit nicotine pouch portfolio in the Philippines with two new variants, Dark Pop and Red Frost. Both products maintain the brand’s tobacco-free nicotine pouch positioning, with Dark Pop featuring a fizzy cola profile with citrus and sweet notes, while Red Frost combines cool mint with sweet red berry flavors. The two variants are now available through Philippine online retail channels.
Aug.18
Trump Picks White House Health Policy Aide Heidi Overton to Lead FDA, Pending Senate Confirmation
Trump Picks White House Health Policy Aide Heidi Overton to Lead FDA, Pending Senate Confirmation
U.S. President Donald Trump has chosen White House health policy aide Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Overton currently works on health policy at the White House and previously held a senior role at the America First Policy Institute. If confirmed by the Senate, she would take over an FDA that has experienced months of senior-level turnover. The agency regulates products representing roughly one-fifth of U.S. consumer spending, including e-cigarettes, drugs, vaccines and much of the food supply.
News
Aug.19
Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched the IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Ginza Limited Model Set in Tokyo on September 4, 2026, alongside the opening of IQOS Flagship Ginza, the brand’s first global flagship store. The Oasis Blue edition is limited to 1,814 individually numbered units, with the figure derived from the store’s address at Ginza 1-8-14. The set also includes two Yamanaka-nuri glasses and special packaging, priced at JPY 11,980 and sold exclusively at the Ginza flagship.
Sep.07