Tirana - October 15, 2019 - Philip Morris Albania is pleased to announce that IQOS, the electric heating device for tobacco, has been released in the United States as well.

Philip Morris International (PMI) brought IQOS to the US market through an exclusive license with Altria Group, Inc.

IQOS's entry into the United States marks a milestone in the choices of 40 million American men and women smokers, as IQOS is the first electrically heated tobacco technology authorized to be sold in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ).

In April 2019, the FDA authorized the marketing of IQOS, which warms, but does not burn, as suitable for protecting public health. The agency's decision came after a detailed scientific evaluation of the PMI applications filed with the agency in 2017.

Commenting on this presentation Mr RadmiloVlacic, General Manager of Philip Morris Albania said: ?Introducing to the US market is another test of our determination to encourage adult smokers to switch to smokeless products, fueled by innovation and research. Adult smokers deserve access to innovative products, non-cigarette smoke-free product alternatives, and accurate information about these products.

A combination of strict but reasonable regulatory measures with rigorous controls, greater awareness and controlled marketing would make smoke-free products play an important role in helping adult smokers switch to these products, and otherwise they would continue to smoke traditional cigarettes. ?

Mr Vlaçiiç adds, "IQOS has been present in Albania since April 2019. We hope that adult smokers in the US will begin their transition from traditional cigarettes to smokeless technology as soon as possible."

In addition to applying for a marketing authorization, Philip Morris International presented a complete set of scientific evidence in support of IQOS for its authorization as a reduced risk tobacco product, which the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to analyze.