- The company’s newest innovations are being launched across GCC markets including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain
- PMI has appointed over 1,500 scientists, engineers, technicians, and experts who have contributed into research and development for an ever-innovating smoke-free portfolio.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — November 16, 2023 — Philip Morris International (PMI) has continued to take further bold steps of its smoke-free ambitions in the GCC region. The company, currently undergoing a massive transformation to a smoke-free organization, is focused on fostering innovative solutions that aim to reduce harm for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke cigarettes or use nicotine products.
IQOS ILUMA was launched in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, the latest innovative product in the company’s growing portfolio of smoke-free products, for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke. IQOS ILUMA has been developed through rigorous research and development efforts of over 1,500 scientists, engineers, medical professionals, and experts, and is PMI’s first tobacco heating system to introduce breakthrough induction-heating technology which utilizes no blade and requires no cleaning. The IQOS ILUMA’s non-combustible innovation, based on SMARTCORE INDUCTION SYSTEM™, prevents the burning of tobacco. Burning tobacco produces over 6,000 chemicals, of which about 100 have been identified as causes or potential causes of smoking-related diseases.
Tarkan Demirbas, Area Vice President Middle East at Philip Morris Management Services (Middle East) Limited. said: “Adult smokers may be unaware of the choices they are making, largely due to the lack of information and knowledge on products that bring harm, versus scientifically-backed products that reduce the likelihood of smoking-related disease. At PMI, we are invested in providing existing adult smokers with better alternatives through harm reduction innovations which can help them take a step back from cigarettes towards better alternatives.”
“Smoking related diseases today call for a pragmatic solution that places consumers at the forefront, while moving away from cigarettes”, commented Saim Yasin, Director of Marketing & Digital, at PMMS. “IQOS ILUMA is our latest innovation in tobacco heating systems that will accelerate our goal towards a smoke-free future. Through a growing portfolio of smoke-free alternatives, we are reaffirming our commitment to create realistic, society-wide change that can reimagine the world we are living in — without cigarettes.”
Since 2008, PMI has invested more than USD10.5 billion[1] into the research, development, commercialization[2], and manufacturing capabilities for a portfolio of smoke-free products—such as IQOS ILUMA. By continuously innovating and expanding our multi-category smoke-free portfolio of scientifically backed alternatives, alongside plausible policies and regulations that incorporate harm reduction practices, PMI believes the delivery of a smoke-free future can be accelerated.
IQOS ILUMA — A breakthrough harm reduction alternative
IQOS ILUMA is the latest innovation from IQOS, at the heart of it is the SMARTCORE INDUCTION SYSTEM™ that heats the tobacco from within the new generation of tobacco sticks. These newly designed sticks are to be used only with IQOS ILUMA[3].
The IQOS ILUMA series offers three devices at various price points to meet adult smoker and user needs in the GCC: IQOS ILUMA Prime, IQOS ILUMA and IQOS ILUMA One. All three devices use new induction-heating technology but offer different designs to allow adult users to select the device that best suits their preferences. These bladeless devices offer a cleaner way to heat tobacco from the core, without burning it, to provide a more consistent and seamless experience, no tobacco residue, and no need to clean the device.
IQOS ILUMA PRIME, IQOS ILUMA, and IQOS ILUMA ONE will be available to purchase in stores through a wide range of outlets across Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia markets, as well as the IQOS Boutique in Riyadh Boulevard.
Philip Morris International: Delivering a Smoke-Free Future
Philip Morris International (PMI) is a leading international tobacco company working to deliver a smokefree future and evolving its portfolio for the long term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company’s current product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products. Since 2008, PMI has invested more than USD 10.5 billion to develop, scientifically substantiate and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, with the goal of completely ending the sale of cigarettes. This includes the building of world-class scientific assessment capabilities, notably in the areas of pre-clinical systems toxicology, clinical and behavioral research, as well as post-market studies. In November 2022, PMI acquired Swedish Match – a leader in oral nicotine delivery – creating a global smoke-free champion led by the companies’ IQOS and ZYN brands. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized versions of PMI’s IQOS Platform 1 devices and consumables and Swedish Match’s General snus as Modified Risk Tobacco Products. As of September 30, 2023, PMI’s smoke-free products were available for sale in 82 markets, and PMI estimates that approximately 19.7 million adults around the world had already switched to IQOS and stopped smoking. Smoke-free products accounted for approximately 36.2% of PMI’s total third-quarter 2023 net revenues. With a strong foundation and significant expertise in life sciences, PMI announced in February 2021 its ambition to expand into wellness and healthcare areas and, through its Vectura Fertin Pharma business, aims to enhance life through the delivery of seamless health experiences. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and
[1] Source: PMI Q3 2023 Earnings Release
[2] PMI’s central commercialization costs included, but global commercialization costs excluded
[3] IQOS ILUMA is designed to be used only with TEREA SMARTCORE STICKSTM. IQOS ILUMA and TEREA SMARTCORE STICKSTM must not be used with previous IQOS generations, as this may cause damage to the device. As TEREA SMARTCORE STICKSTM contain a sharp metal part that can cause serious injury if swallowed, they must be kept out of reach of children and pets and must not be ingested or disassembled.
