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.

China Tobacco Plans CNY 60 Billion Investment in ICBC, Agricultural Bank as Strategic Ties Extend Beyond Equity
China Tobacco Plans CNY 60 Billion Investment in ICBC, Agricultural Bank as Strategic Ties Extend Beyond Equity
China National Tobacco Corporation and several subsidiaries plan to invest a combined CNY 60 billion ($8.7 billion) in share placements by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China as strategic investors. The agreements extend beyond equity investment to corporate governance, banking services and supply-chain finance. The filings also disclose 2025 data on China Tobacco’s tax and profit contributions and industry scale.
Sep.07
U.S. Health Groups Seek to Overturn FDA Enforcement Discretion for Pending PMTAs as Altria's Helix, NJOY and AVM Move to Intervene
U.S. Health Groups Seek to Overturn FDA Enforcement Discretion for Pending PMTAs as Altria's Helix, NJOY and AVM Move to Intervene
American Vapor Manufacturers (AVM) and Altria subsidiaries Helix Innovations and NJOY filed separate motions on October 7, 2026, seeking to intervene on the FDA's side in a lawsuit challenging its enforcement guidance for certain e-cigarette and nicotine pouch products with pending premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs). Seven public health and tobacco-control organizations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, sued the agency in July to overturn the policy. AVM argues that vacating the guidance could disrupt orders, inventory, retail distribution and investments in regulatory submissions.
Regulations
Oct.09
GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
A U.S. Government Accountability Office audit found that 131,915 tobacco product applications submitted to the FDA since 2018 remained without a final review as of December 31, 2025, with pending applications waiting an average of 1,266 days. GAO also found FDA lacks the data needed to systematically determine whether scientific reviews meet applicable timelines. HHS agreed to upgrade the agency's tracking systems. At the same time, FDA has begun applying lessons from its nicotine pouch PMTA pilot to e-cigarette reviews, while changes to enforcement policy and electronic submissions are making the specific stage of a PMTA increasingly relevant to market access.
FDA
Oct.03
JTI’s Nordic Spirit Signs Co-op Live Partnership Ahead of New UK Nicotine Sponsorship Restrictions
JTI’s Nordic Spirit Signs Co-op Live Partnership Ahead of New UK Nicotine Sponsorship Restrictions
JTI nicotine pouch brand Nordic Spirit has entered a long-term partnership with Manchester’s Co-op Live, becoming the venue’s Official Nicotine Pouch Partner. The 23,500-capacity venue is the UK’s largest indoor live entertainment arena. Nordic Spirit will run in-venue activations for existing adult nicotine consumers and sell products at selected arena bars. The agreement was entered into before the relevant UK sponsorship restrictions were introduced, while the government intends to implement a comprehensive ban on advertising and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products from June 1, 2027.
Sep.07
HG Innovation, linked to IMiracle and ELFBAR, wins China patent for 6-methylnicotine salts covering vaping and oral products
HG Innovation, linked to IMiracle and ELFBAR, wins China patent for 6-methylnicotine salts covering vaping and oral products
HG Innovation Limited has been granted a Chinese invention patent covering 6-methylnicotine salt formulations and their use in oral and vaping products. The technology forms salts between 6-methylnicotine and alicyclic carboxylic acids, with granted claims extending to oral products, atomization substrates and electronic atomization devices. Applicant-generated tests reported differences in oxidation stability, in-vitro cytotoxicity and aerosol heavy-metal performance compared with selected benzoate or lactate controls. HG Innovation is directly linked to the broader IMiracle and ELFBAR business network.
Sep.04
Couche-Tard Posts Double-Digit U.S. Same-Store Growth in Other Nicotine Products, Led by Pouches
Couche-Tard Posts Double-Digit U.S. Same-Store Growth in Other Nicotine Products, Led by Pouches
Alimentation Couche-Tard said U.S. same-store sales in its “other nicotine products” category grew at a double-digit rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, led by nicotine pouches, while overall U.S. same-store merchandise revenues increased 1.7%. The company also said its Canadian nicotine business continued to face regulatory pressure and illicit-market headwinds. The U.S. performance coincides with Couche-Tard's participation in efforts to reopen Canadian convenience-store access to authorized nicotine pouches, though the company has not established a direct causal link between the two.
Sep.14