Vapouround magazine ISSUE 15 | Page 19

Philip Morris Ltd UK Managing Director Peter Nixon has also written to Prime Minister Theresa May outlining how the company believes they can play a part in helping Britain to go smoke free. He said: “We believe we have an important role to play in helping the UK become smoke-free. The commitments announced today are practical steps that could accelerate that goal. “We recognise that never starting to smoke - or quitting altogether - are always the best option. But for those who continue to smoke, there are more alternatives than ever available in the UK.” The advertisement also encourages adult smokers to visit a new website – www.smokefreefuture.co.uk – which contains information on quitting smoking and on switching to better options. The SmokeFreeFuture website, says: “Our aim is to replace cigarettes with smoke-free products that are a better choice than continuing to smoke. “Smoking causes serious disease and is addictive. The best decision for health is not to start, or to quit altogether. “At Philip Morris Ltd, our goal is to replace cigarettes with smoke- free products that are a better choice than continuing to smoke. We want that to happen as soon as possible. But there is no substitute for quitting completely and for good. There are many ways to quit smoking. And there’s a lot of useful information that’s available to you. That’s why we created this site…as a resource for information that might help you learn more about quitting.” The site goes on to list many of the benefits of quitting smoking and contains links to the NHS Stop Smoking Service. It also lists better alternatives to smoking such as heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes. “Our aim is to replace cigarettes with smoke-free products that are a better choice than continuing to smoke.” Regarding heated tobacco it says: “Recently, heated tobacco has become very successful in several countries such as Japan. But here in the UK, few smokers know about these products. Cigarettes burn. Heated tobacco doesn’t. Without burning, there is no smoke. Instead, there’s a nicotine-containing aerosol that has much lower amounts of harmful chemicals than in cigarette smoke. Heated tobacco products are not risk free. They deliver nicotine and are addictive. They’re only for adults who smoke – not former smokers or for people who have never smoked.” And in the e-cigarette section it gives a basic overview of vaping products and says: “For many smokers, the nicotine in an e-cigarette is important to completely switch away from smoking. In 2015, an expert review for the Government by Public Health England concluded that e-cigarettes present a fraction of the risk of smoking – but that many smokers don’t realise this. Approximately, 1.5 million adults in the UK have switched to e-cigarettes and given up cigarette smoking.” A spokesman for Philip Morris International (PMI) said: “PMI has made a commitment to develop, market, and sell smoke-free alternatives, and encourage adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke to switch to these alternatives, as quickly as possible around the world.” VM15 | 19