Smoke-free technologies can benefit public health
About Andre Calantzopoulos
André Calantzopoulos, Executive Chairman of the Board at Philip Morris International, has continued to advocate for the company's transition away from combustible cigarettes toward smoke-free alternatives. He has stated that the company's goal is to "replace cigarettes as soon as possible" with products that do not involve combustion, such as heated tobacco and e-vapor products. Calantzopoulos has argued that "the problem in cigarettes is not nicotine" but rather the combustion process, and that scientifically validated smoke-free products are "a much better choice than cigarettes" for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke. He has cited the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's authorization of IQOS as a modified risk tobacco product as validation of this approach. Calantzopoulos has called for greater collaboration between the private sector, governments, and public health organizations, saying that "cigarette sales can end within 10 to 15 years in many countries" with the right regulatory frameworks. He has criticized what he describes as "ideologically driven resistance" from some public health organizations and has urged them to "put evidence at the center of our decisions." He has also emphasized the importance of science and facts in public discourse, stating that "science and facts are being held hostage and distorted by politics." Additionally, Calantzopoulos has committed PMI to disability inclusion by joining The Valuable 500 initiative, and has said the company has "no plans" to enter the cannabis business, citing the need to focus on its smoke-free mission.