PMI Urges Africa to Remove Tobacco Control Barriers, Calls for Science-Driven Policy

Jun.17

At the 2025 Innovation Conference in Cape Town, Philip Morris International (PMI) urged African countries to remove barriers to tobacco harm reduction. It cited inefficient policies, resistance to innovation, and poor communication as key challenges, and called for science-based regulations to provide adult smokers with better alternatives.

Key Points:

·Call to action: Philip Morris International (PMI) is urging Africa to eliminate barriers to tobacco control in line with its "Reduced-Risk Product (RRP) Strategy" and promote a smoke-free future.

·Obstacles: Ineffective government policies, societal skepticism towards innovation, and a lack of communication mechanisms.

·Policy proposals: Policymaking should be based on the latest scientific findings rather than tradition, emotions, or skepticism.

·Innovation and action direction: Emphasizing the combination of innovation and policy reforms to provide information and low-risk products for adult smokers.

According to AllAfrica on June 16th, Philip Morris International (PMI) is calling for the elimination of obstacles to tobacco control in Africa. This call is in line with the company's "Tobacco Harm Reduction Plan", specifically requesting that governments adopt policies and actions based on the latest scientific findings rather than traditional, emotional, and skeptical attitudes.

Officials from Philip Morris International (PMI) pointed out at the 2025 Technology Innovation Conference in Cape Town, South Africa that factors such as lack of effective government policies, skepticism, and lack of communication are hindering Africa from achieving a smoke-free future.

"I believe the question we need to ask ourselves is not 'whether' or 'why,' but rather how Africa should further develop."

Vice President of Business Affairs for the region at Philip Morris International (PMI), Andrea Gontkovicova, stated.

"What roles do we hope to collectively take on in order to provide adult smokers who would typically continue smoking with information, choices, and access to better products?"

References:

[1] PMI Calls for Smoke-Free Africa

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