Swedish Match Becomes the World’s First Smoke-Free Tobacco Company
Earlier this month, Swedish Match announced plans to sell its remaining cigar business by the end of 2022, a move that would make the company the world’s first major smoke-free tobacco brand. As health awareness increases and smoking rates continue to dec
Earlier this month, Swedish Match announced plans to sell its remaining cigar business by the end of 2022, making the company the world's first major smoke-free tobacco brand.
In light of increasing health awareness and the subsequent decline in smoking rates, tobacco companies worldwide are striving to shift their business from cigarette sales to safer alternatives. Recently, Philip Morris International's (PMI) incoming CEO Jacek Olczak reiterated the company's goal of achieving smoke-free status within a decade. Meanwhile, Swedish Match is the first tobacco company to achieve this goal and is effectively exiting the combustible tobacco market. In discussing this move, renowned tobacco control pioneer and part-time law professor in Canada David Sweanor stated that while the brand has never received the recognition it deserves for venturing into smoking cessation products, other companies have not either. Furthermore, he added that this move may still not silence critics. "I don't think the cessation of combustible products will end the attacks on Swedish Match, as these attacks have long been moralistic, irrational, and clearly counterproductive," Sweanor was quoted as saying by Snus Forum.
In light of increasing health awareness and the subsequent decline in smoking rates, tobacco companies worldwide are striving to shift their business from cigarette sales to safer alternatives. Recently, Philip Morris International's (PMI) incoming CEO Jacek Olczak reiterated the company's goal of achieving smoke-free status within a decade. Meanwhile, Swedish Match is the first tobacco company to achieve this goal and is effectively exiting the combustible tobacco market. In discussing this move, renowned tobacco control pioneer and part-time law professor in Canada David Sweanor stated that while the brand has never received the recognition it deserves for venturing into smoking cessation products, other companies have not either. Furthermore, he added that this move may still not silence critics. "I don't think the cessation of combustible products will end the attacks on Swedish Match, as these attacks have long been moralistic, irrational, and clearly counterproductive," Sweanor was quoted as saying by Snus Forum.
