Disinformation threatens progress toward a future without cigarette smoke, reveals a new international survey released by Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) (NYSE: PM). Well-funded groups continue to promote false narratives and spread confusion despite increasing public support for scientifically proven smokeless alternatives as a better option than continuing to smoke.
The survey was conducted on nearly 30,000 adults from 26 countries, including the Dominican Republic, by the independent research company Povaddo and commissioned by PMI.
The results reveal that too many adult smokers remain unaware that there are better alternatives to cigarettes, cannot access them, or are confused by false or misleading information that prevents them from making an informed decision.
There is a clear public demand for a collective review of the facts and science on smokeless products. Nearly eight in ten respondents (79%) agree that adult smokers who would otherwise continue to use cigarettes should have access to accurate information about smokeless alternatives. This opinion is shared by 87% of current adult smokers.
“People hope that public health bodies and regulators will reach a scientific consensus around innovative smokeless alternatives and provide adults who smoke with evidence-based information on these products,” said Grégoire Verdeaux, Senior Vice President of PMI External Affairs. “At Philip Morris International, we prioritize transparency as we transform our business to deliver a smoke-free future, inviting policy makers, the scientific community and NGOs to review and verify our scientific findings. By providing adult smokers with science-based information on better alternatives, we can accelerate the decline in smoking rates, helping to end it once and for all, ”added Verdeaux.
Results in DR
In the case of the Dominican Republic, 82% of respondents agree that adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke should have access to accurate information on smoke-free alternatives that are scientifically proven better than continuing to smoke. In addition, 80% of respondents support companies, governments, regulators and public health experts working collaboratively to ensure that smokers have access to and accurate information about these alternatives.
Roberto Yunén, general manager of Philip Morris Dominicana, explains that The company is currently making significant efforts to generate greater local understanding of smoke-free alternatives., based on scientifically supported information.
“It is currently a major challenge for us. Understanding that there are adult smokers who will continue to smoke anyway, it is part of our role to offer them smoke-free alternatives, while they have the right to information about these alternatives. In order to achieve a change in these adult smokers, collaboration, openness to dialogue and the joint work of various actors, including companies in the sector, specialized institutions and unions, the medical / scientific community, and the Dominican State, in order to achieve a better understanding of these alternatives, as well as the appropriate regulations, ”explains Yunén.
The results of the study in the Dominican Republic also reveal that 79% of those surveyed agree that companies in the sector are part of the discussions related to rules and regulations for their products.
The global survey also shows the degree of public confusion around smokeless products:
Nearly half of the adults surveyed mistakenly believe that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are more or just as harmful than cigarettes (45% and 46%, respectively, for each product category).
When asked why they had not considered switching to a better alternative, about a third of the smokers surveyed cited lack of information about the differences between these products and cigarettes (33%), uncertainty about science (35% ) or having easier access to cigarettes (32%), the most harmful form of tobacco use.
Promisingly, the survey results also show that accurate information on the best alternatives can help smokers quit.
The vast majority (91%) of adult smokers who have switched to a better alternative and quit smoking confirmed that having accurate information on the differences between these products and cigarettes was an important factor in their decision.
Of adults who smoke, 63% would be more willing to switch to a better alternative (such as e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products) if they were clear about how these products differ from cigarettes and the science behind them.
The survey also explores public attitudes toward scientific studies conducted by manufacturers of smokeless products. Globally, the majority of adults – nearly three-quarters (72%) – support tobacco companies working with governments, regulators, and public health experts to ensure smokers have access to accurate information about alternatives. without smoke.
Povaddo conducted this online survey on behalf of PMI between July 19 and August 3, 2021. The survey was conducted among 29,484 adult respondents of legal age, from the general population and 21 years of age and older, in 26 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and the United States.
Philip Morris International (PMI) is leading a transformation in the tobacco industry to create a smoke-free future and ultimately to replace cigarettes with smokeless products, for the benefit of adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, society , the company, its shareholders and its other interested parties. PMI is a leading international tobacco company dedicated to the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, as well as smokeless products, associated electronic devices and accessories, and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside of the United States.
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