Tobacco giant Philip Morris International says it will phase out tobacco cigarettes and focus on smoke-free products over the long term.
Known for manufacturing the popular brand Marlboro, the company says on its website that it's made a "dramatic decision."
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It's part of an ongoing effort by the company to replace cigarettes with smoke-free alternatives for people who continue to smoke. That includes devices that feature a range of nicotine containing alternatives without the smoke, which lowers the levels of harmful chemicals in the vapor.
Tobacco use is responsible for nearly half a million deaths each year in the United States.
We are transforming our company! It is just the beginning. 2019 will bring us closer to a #smokefreefuture. pic.twitter.com/rKiqfaCu3r
— Philip Morris International (@InsidePMI) December 31, 2018
NBC