Moscow, October 3, 2019 - Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) congratulated the world's first smokeless island Astypalea (Greece) to receive a Smoke-Free Culture certificate. Local authorities have created a culture that inspires residents and visitors to the Greek island to build a smoke-free and ash-free future by giving up cigarettes.
The island has been awarded the Smoke-Free Culture Certificate from TUV Austria, a leading independent organization dedicated to reducing tobacco smoke through the implementation and continual improvement of a package of smoking cessation measures. Adult smokers who do not give up their habit are encouraged to switch to less harmful alternative smokeless products.
TUV Austria developed an independent certification protocol in 2018. The organization verifies companies for compliance with protocol requirements through an independent audit and awards them a certificate if the audit is successful. The audit provides an objective, comprehensive and fully documented assessment. This certification is available for various types of events, companies and corporations, as well as for geographic areas such as cities, towns and islands.
“We are proud to support this initiative and congratulate Astypalea on achieving this goal. Hopefully other territories around the world will follow suit and join in building a smoke-free future. "- said Frederic de Wilde, PMI Regional President for the European Union.
The spread of smokeless culture among locals and visitors to Astypalea was accompanied by the inclusion of its symbolism in the visual communications of the island, as well as the placement of information on the island itself: at the airport, seaport, on beaches and in historical areas for those adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke provides information on the best alternatives.
“The best thing smokers can do is to completely quit tobacco and nicotine products. However, many of them do not give up their habit, so they need to be told about less harmful alternatives, ” - added Frederic de Wilde.
During the combustion process, a large amount of harmful substances are formed, which can provoke a number of diseases associated with smoking. Smokeless products do not eliminate health risks and contain addictive nicotine, but they emit significantly fewer harmful substances when used than cigarettes. These products, when manufactured in accordance with appropriate quality and safety standards, represent a better alternative for adult smokers than continuing to smoke.
In its quest to build a smoke-free future, PMI has introduced the concept of Smoke-Free Destinations - places where a smoke and ash free culture has been successfully implemented.As part of this concept, dedicated spaces are created for adult smokers who do not quit smoking cigarettes, where they can get all the necessary information about smokeless nicotine products, such as the IQOS heating system from PMI.
Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) is the first tobacco company to transform its business to create a smoke-free future and ultimately replace cigarettes with smokeless products for the benefit of adult consumers who would otherwise continue to smoke, communities, companies and their shareholders.
PMI is a leading international tobacco company that manufactures and markets cigarettes, smokeless products and related electronic devices and accessories, and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside the United States. PMI is building the future around a new category of smokeless products that, while not completely harmless, represent a much better alternative than continuing to smoke.
With the ability to leverage multiple disciplines in product development, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and scientific evidence, PMI strives to ensure that its smokeless products meet adult consumer preferences and stringent regulatory requirements. PMI estimates that as of June 30, 2019, about 8 million adult smokers worldwide have already quit smoking and switched to the tobacco heating system, which is sold under the IQOS brand in 48 markets in key cities or across the country.
Does not exclude risks
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