The head of Philip Morris International says more scientific research needs to be completed before the company would risk moving into the cannabis market. André Calantzopoulos, chief executive, stressed that there is a lack of scientific data on the long-term impact of cannabis.
Calantzopoulos claims, however, that smokeless nicotine products are a less harmful alternative to cigarettes and should be promoted as a replacement. He urged regulators to drop their opposition to the marketing and promotion of smokeless, non-combustible nicotine products, such as the IQOS product made by Philip Morris, or those of rival Juul.
“We don’t want to normalize nicotine use,” Calantzopoulos said, “but we want to replace the delivery method.”
