Burning, not nicotine, causes smoking-related disease

Nicotine is not the main cause of smoking-related diseases as science would show that it is the combustion or burning of the tobacco that produces the harmful chemical substances.

Speaking at the virtual event of American Chamber of Commerce Business Innovation Forum 2021 with the theme “Redefining the Future,” Dr. Victor Joseph Yamat, Scientific Affairs Manager of PMFTC, Inc., said,“Nicotine is found naturally in tobacco. It's addictive and not risk-free. But it's not the main cause of smoking-related diseases.”

PMFTC, Inc., the local affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI) participated in the online event together with experts of various fields to share insights on how businesses can leverage technological innovations to transform industries.

The PMFTC executive pointed out that “despite the regulations imposed” against smoking, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that by 2025, there will still be 1.1 billion smokers worldwide.

He cited that there are 16 million smokers in the Philippines now and the prevalence of smoking continues around the world.

Yamat said, “our best opportunity to contribute to positive change is clear: we need to innovate and innovate responsibly.”

Yamat was referring to PMI’s ambitious vision of Delivering a smoke-free future.” He said this corporate vision has a very specific goal: to provide the world’s adult smokers, who would otherwise continue to smoke, with smoke-free alternatives.