PHILLIP Morris International Inc. is introducing a low-cost, low-maintenance heated tobacco product to help adult Filipino smokers in their journey to a smoke-free future.
BONDS by IQOS, with accompanying specially designed tobacco sticks BLENDS, offers adults who would otherwise continue to smoke access to a hassle-free, smoke-free product validated by science as a better alternative to cigarettes.
BONDS by IQOS is a new product from IQOS, the world’s No. 1 tobacco heating system.
PMI CEO Jacek Olczak said BONDS by IQOS represents a step forward in the company’s ambition to replace cigarettes with innovative, science-based and smoke-free alternatives.
“BONDS by IQOS provides an opportunity to address consumer acquisition barriers for this segment, most notably up-front device costs and authentic tobacco taste satisfaction – providing further options of innovative smoke-free options to help ensure they do not go back to cigarettes. Through continuous innovation, we want to ensure that all adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking, switch and abandon cigarettes,” Olczak said.
“Providing a range of alternatives to continued smoking – with a variety of taste, technology, usage and price options – is imperative and helps us to address a range of preferences as diverse as adult smokers themselves, ultimately encouraging them to leave cigarettes behind,” said Olczak.
Denis Gorkun, president of PMFTC, Inc., the local affiliate of PMI, said that with the Filipino adult smoker in mind, “we endeavor to offer accessible, affordable science-backed alternatives to smoking combustible cigarettes, with the goal to accelerate the realization of that transformative vision.”
Gorkun underscored PMI’s vision to deliver a smoke-free future. “PMFTC, as the market leader in the Philippines, is committed to put the country at the hub of the global smoke-free future. The addition of BONDS by IQOS to our smoke-free portfolio in the Philippines is another significant step towards that goal of a smoke-free future for 16 million Filipino smokers and their loved ones,” said Gorkun.
BONDS by IQOS is now available in Metro Manila with more sari-sari stores expected to offer the product soon. The device is priced at Php990, while Blends sells for P100 a pack.
Like all PMI’s smoke-free, nicotine containing products, BONDS by IQOS is intended for adults who would otherwise continue smoking or using other nicotine products, and who are looking for a better alternative to cigarettes.
BONDS by IQOS is designed to be used only with BLENDS tobacco sticks to deliver a variety of tobacco tastes. At the time of launch, BLENDS tobacco sticks will be available in four different flavors, including classic and menthol. When fully charged, BONDS by IQOS delivers up to 20 uses, including three consecutive experiences. It comes in four different colors.
