Is a smoke-free future possible? PMI’s comprehensive range of smoke-free products may well be the precursor of a much-awaited global trend.

The explosive era of innovation and technology has drastically changed the landscape of many industries. The tobacco industry, as well-established as it is, is no exception. For more than a hundred years, Philip Morris International (PMI) manufacture and sell six out of top 15 leading international cigarette brands, among them Marlboro, one of the best-known and iconic brands. For long, PMI has been the leading international company in the industry, and it is now embarking on a grand voyage to replace cigarettes with smoke-free products.

Brett Cooper, Philip Morris Asia Limited’s (PMAL) General Manager of Hong Kong and Macau, sheds light on this revolutionary transformation. “Many countries, including Hong Kong, have introduced complete smoking bans in indoor public spaces, workplaces, restaurants and bars as well as community spaces. Although smoking prevalence continues to drop, many adults may still choose to continue smoking. In light of this, we have committed ourselves to developing alternatives to cigarettes that can reduce the risks of tobacco use compared to smoking cigarette and complement existing smoking control measures. This can be a win-win solution for both public health organizations and consumers,” Brett says.

The goal for PMI, hence is to help achieve a significant public health benefit by allowing adult smokers the choice to switch from cigarettes to better products that are without fire, smoke and ash.

Since PMI launched its heat-not-burn product, IQOS, in Japan in 2014, the product availability expanded rapidly and is now available in almost 40 markets. More than 5 million adult smokers around the world have already switched completely to IQOS. “This growing demand for IQOS over the globe reflects the desire among adult smokers to be able to switch to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes,” Brett asserts.

Brett explains that the company is taking an increasingly proactive approach over communicating with different parties to address their concerns. “Being transparent is the key here,” he says. “Our message to governments, public health organizations and the scientific community is that we are happy to share our scientific findings on smoke-free products and to work with them to build a future with smoke-free products one day replacing cigarettes for the benefit of adult smokers and society.”

Internal Transformation

While developing a comprehensive portfolio of smoke-free products is undoubtedly avant-garde for PMI, this alone cannot constitute a fundamental transformation that makes the vision of a “Smoke-Free Future” possible.

“Instead of working in silos within each department focusing on its core duties, we encourage the establishment of more cross-functional project teams to achieve greater synergies among departments. Employees are offered the opportunities and platforms to collaborate, develop different capabilities and skills to work toward the same goal – our vision of a “Smoke-Free Future”,” Brett elaborates.

“For the Hong Kong market, we think of it holistically; going forward we will innovate disruptively, lean forward with purpose, be inclusive of everyone and give the team the space to deliver, whilst always putting our consumers, both internal and external, at the core of everything we do,” – Brett Cooper

Strive to be the Best Company

PMI believes that employee engagement and involvement is the key to the success of its energizing vision. It is dedicated to creating excitement and positive energy within the organization by engaging employees through an inclusive corporate culture, employee-centric practices and initiatives, as well as an open and innovative working environment.

“For the Hong Kong market, we think of it holistically; going forward we will innovate disruptively, lean forward with purpose, be inclusive of everyone and give the team the space to deliver, whilst always putting our consumers, both internal and external, at the core of everything we do,” Brett adds.

To better understand and meet its employees’ needs on benefits, for example, the company has recently upgraded and extended the scope of its flexible benefit program, which, among many market leading policies, includes a 4.5-day work week, flexi-hours, remote working on Fridays, sabbatical leave for up to 12 months, and additional time off.

“We also have in mind our beliefs on diversity and inclusion when recently renovating our Hong Kong office. For example, we have built different on-site facilities such as mothers’ room, prayer room and disabilities toilets to meet the needs of different groups. More will come as we continue to expand our office,” Brett concludes. “We believe that with our smoke-free products, innovation-inspiring and employee-caring business model, as well as a pride-instilling working environment in place, we can and will continue to strive for a better future not just for ourselves but also the whole society.”

For additional information about PMI, please visit www.pmi.com

Hong Kong’s Business Leaders share market and interest intelligence in the pages of HKMVC 2019

Tagged in: