Philip Morris International to quit cigarettes business

Philip Morris International (PMI) is quitting the cigarettes business. According to its New Year's resolution: ''We're trying to give up cigarettes.''

The company, which makes such brands as Marlboro, L&M, Parliament and Chesterfield spelt out its decision in full-page ads in several newspapers in the UK.

It said its new ambition in 2018 is to build a smoke-free future and eventually stop selling cigarettes.

It describes it manifesto on its website, saying it will help people quit smoking traditional cigarettes and one day replace them all with smoke-free alternatives like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Saying the alternatives are less harmful, the company points out that ''we can achieve a significant public-health benefit only when a large number of these smokers switch from cigarettes to better products.''

The Philip Morris ad states: ''No cigarette company has done anything like this before. You might wonder if we really mean it.''

The World Health Organization has also asked that question and the United Nations health agency has refused to partner with The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, which is funded by Philip Morris International.

"The tobacco industry and its front groups have misled the public about the risks associated with other tobacco products," the World Health Organization said in a September 2017 statement.

Meanwhile, Philip Morris says on its website, ''We will be far more than a leading cigarette company. We're building PMI's future on smoke-free products that are a much better choice than cigarette smoking.

"We understand the millions of men and women who smoke cigarettes. They are looking for less harmful, yet satisfying, alternatives to smoking. We will give them that choice. We have a commitment to our employees and our shareholders. We will fulfill that commitment by pursuing this long-term vision for success.

"Society expects us to act responsibly. And we are doing just that by designing a smoke-free future. Success in the cigarette business gives us the resources to pursue our ambitious vision.

"Thanks to the imagination and perseverance of thousands of people at PMI, we have developed breakthrough products that are smoke-free and enjoyable. And, we are selling them today. Millions have already given up smoking and switched to our new products, and this is just the beginning.

"We're investing to make these products the Philip Morris icons of the future. A future PMI that's known for replacing cigarettes with a portfolio of revolutionary products. In changing times you can always choose to do nothing. Instead, we've set a new course for the company. We've chosen to do something really big.''