Philip Morris SA to accelerate smoke-free ambitions with new financial director

The appointment underpins the organisation’s goal to replace cigarettes with less harmful alternatives for those who choose to continue using tobacco, as soon as possible.

“As a company we are leading the transformation of the industry in our pursuit to go smoke-free; since 2008, Philip Morris International (PMI) has invested more than USD 9 billion into the science, research and commercialisation of smoke-free products, employing hundreds of world-class scientists, engineers, and technicians in our R&D efforts,” says Branislav Bibic, Managing Director at PMSA.

“PMI’s pre-clinical and clinical programs are inspired by the pharmaceutical industry and aligned with internationally recognised good practices, with more than 425 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters published since 2008,” he explains.

“We’re attracting great talent globally to assist us in our journey to replace cigarettes with smoke-free alternatives and we are very excited to have Buena join our team.”

Last year, PMI announced its ambition for smoke free products to account for more than 50% of its total net revenues by 2025 – by end 2021, this figure reached 29%, up from essentially 0% five years ago.

Commenting on her appointment as Financial Director to a tobacco company, Barnes says that PMI’s scientific and technological leadership, its significant investment to replace cigarettes with less harmful alternatives as soon as possible, and the global success of its IQOS heat-not-burn tobacco product were compelling factors in her decision.

Barnes adds that she is excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in joining a Global Top Employer and equal salary certified company like PMI.

“I am inspired to join an organisation and leadership team that is committed to providing adults who smoke with better, scientifically substantiated alternatives to cigarettes.

“PMI’s future is centred on health, science, technology, and sustainable business practices to deliver innovative products and solutions that aim to improve people’s lives and create a positive impact on society,” she says.

She adds that she is looking forward to assisting the company in achieving its financial commitments with strategic financial guidance and management.

Before joining PMSA, Barnes served as Head of Finance for GlaxoSmithKline SA for over five years, initially joining the Consumer Health Care business in the GMS (Global Manufacturing & Supply) Division, and then undertook the responsibility of executing the financial and business strategy for the pharmaceutical and vaccines business in South Africa.

_{Philip Morris International (PMI) is a leading international tobacco company working to deliver a smoke-free future and evolving its portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company’s current product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat not-burn, vapor and oral nicotine products, which are sold in markets outside the U.S. Since 2008, PMI has invested more than USD 9 billion to develop, scientifically substantiate and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, with the goal of completely ending the sale of cigarettes. This includes the building of world-class scientific assessment capabilities, notably in the areas of pre-clinical systems toxicology, clinical and behavioural research, as well as post-market studies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the marketing of a version of PMI’s IQOS Platform 1 device and consumables as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP), finding that an exposure modification order for these products is appropriate to promote the public health. As of December 31, 2021, PMI’s smoke-free products are available for sale in 71 markets, and PMI estimates that approximately 15.3 million adults around the world have already switched to IQOS and stopped smoking. With a strong foundation and significant expertise in life sciences, in February 2021 PMI announced its ambition to expand into wellness and healthcare areas and deliver innovative products and solutions that aim to address unmet patient and consumer needs.}

For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com.