Philip Morris International

Early years

The company history began in 1847 with the opening of a single shop on London's Bond Street by a local tobacconist, Philip Morris.[8] The shop gained popularity after the Crimean War, where Turkish tobacco became popular among returning soldiers who started preferring cigarettes over pipe tobacco and cigars. Morris hired more employees to hand-roll them.[9][10] After Morris died in 1873, his widow Margaret and brother Leopold ran the business. Leopold became the sole owner in 1880 and formed a partnership with Joseph Grunebaum, leading to the incorporation of Philip Morris & Company and Grunebaum, Ltd. in 1881.[11] The company became Philip Morris & Co., Ltd. in 1885 when the partnership dissolved. Highly indebted, it was bought by one of its creditors, William Curtis Thomson, in 1894.[12]

In 1902, King Edward, a long-time customer of the shop, appointed Philip Morris as royal tobacconist, boosting business.[11] That same year, the company was incorporated in the United States by Gustav Eckmeyer, who had been its sole importer and distributor in the New World since 1872.[13] Ownership was shared between Eckmeyer and the parent company, and the venture began selling its first domestic brands along with its traditional luxury imports, including Marlborough, named after one of the London manufactories located on Marlborough street.[14]

In 1919, the American subsidiary was bought by investor Georges Whelan and incorporated in Virginia under the name of Philip Morris & Co., Ltd. Inc.[15] Marlborough dropped the letters u g h in 1924 and was relaunched as a premium cigarette for the growing US female market.[16] With Turkish tobacco falling out of fashion and its brands sitting firmly in the luxury and premium segments, total sales account for as little as 0.5% of the total cigarette market in 1925.[17]

In the early 1950s, growing concerns about the health effects of cigarettes led most manufacturers to add filters: by the end of 1954, filtered brands accounted for more than 10 percent of sales volumes.[18] To enter this market, Philip Morris' executives first decided to purchase Benson & Hedges in 1954, which had pioneered the market with its Parliament brand. However, the brand lost nearly 10% of its market share under the new management.[18] The company then decided a brand repositioning for Marlboro, a premium yet stagnant brand from its portfolio. George Weissman, the new vice-president for marketing and new products, signed up Leo Burnett to the task. The agency's challenge was to appeal to male smokers concerned enough about their health to consider switching to filter cigarettes. The logo and packaging were redesigned and the marketing was supported by a series of Marlboro Men.[19] The campaign was a success: within a year of its national roll-out, volumes increased 3,000%, swiftly becoming the fourth best-selling cigarette brand.[20]

Becoming an international giant

Increasing sales fueled the company's expansion: in 1954, Philip Morris Australia became the first international affiliate of the company.[21] Then, in 1957, the Swiss Fabriques de Tabac Réunies in Neuchatel became the first to acquire foreign licensing rights to produce the booming Marlboro, marking the company's first move into Europe since leaving Britain. The Swiss company was eventually purchased in 1963.[22] The overseas division was renamed Philip Morris International in 1961, alongside Philip Morris Domestic and Philip Morris Industrial.[23]

The company underwent rapid expansion abroad in the 1960s. By 1965, Philip Morris products were available in 140 countries and territories.[23] Domestically, Marlboro became the leading brand in the United States by 1972.[24] During the mid-60s the company began to form a horizontal conglomerate, gradually purchasing various entities such as Miller brewing (1968), Seven-Up (1978), Kraft Foods (1988) and many others.[25] The company also pursued a series of international partnerships with local monopolies, allowing its products to reach consumers in more than 170 countries and territories by 1980.[23]

In 1987, Philip Morris International (PMI) was incorporated in Virginia as an operating company of Philip Morris, Inc.[26] The fall of the USSR in the early 1990s provided another expansion opportunity, and Philip Morris International was among the first US companies to operate in the former Communist bloc. In 1990, two years before actually opening an office in the country, PMI accepted an oil-for-cigarettes deal with the failing Soviet state to help deal with cigarette shortages.[27][28] In 1994, Philip Morris International established the Philip Morris Ukraine subsidiary and acquired a 51% stake in a tobacco manufacturing facility in Kharkiv which was soon upgraded. PMI was also one of the first US entrants in the Vietnamese market, opening a manufacturing plant a few months before the two countries normalized their relations.[29] Later, in 2005, PMI also acquired Coltabaco in Colombia and Sampoerna in Indonesia.[30][31]

PMI as an independent entity

On January 27, 2003, Philip Morris Companies Inc. changed its name to Altria.[32] The conglomerate then gradually changed its strategy, selling off large portions of its non-tobacco consumer products holdings. Kraft Foods Inc. was spun off in March 2007, with the company's 88.1% stake being distributed to Altria shareholders.[33] That same year, Altria began the process of spinning off Philip Morris International to allow it to pursue growth opportunities abroad without the legal uncertainties stemming from its US arm.[34] PMI's spinoff from Altria took effect in March 2008. Altria shareholders were given shares in PMI, which was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and other stock exchanges.[35] Louis Camilleri, who had been Altria's CEO, became PMI's new Chief Executive.[36] Although PMI remains incorporated in the US (relocated from New York City to Stamford, Connecticut in 2022[37]), it has never sold combustible cigarettes there. Its operational center has been in Lausanne, Switzerland, since 2002.[38] In 2009, Philip Morris International opened its research and development center (called "The Cube") in Neuchatel, Switzerland.[39] The opening of this R&D center marked a significant milestone for Philip Morris International in the development of new smoke-free products. The company launched Iqos in 2014, a heated tobacco product with reduced emissions.[40] In 2023, Iqos and other smoke-free products made up nearly 40% of PMI's global sales, with Iqos alone surpassing the net revenue generated by Marlboro.[41]

In 2022, PMI also agreed to a $16 billion deal to acquire Swedish Match, boosting its position in cigarette alternatives with the Zyn nicotine pouch brand.[42]

Brands

Philip Morris International has several multibillion-dollar brands. The top five brands of combustible products accounted for 80% of the total cigarette shipments volume in 2024. According to its 2024 annual report, the company had sold almost 617 million cigarettes, along with 140 million heated tobacco units and 1 billion cans of oral tobacco (nicotine pouches, snus, moist snuff):[43]

• Marlboro was launched in 1924 and is the world’s best-selling cigarette brand, ranking first among the most valuable tobacco brands.[44]
• Iqos heated tobacco products were launched in 2014. It is PMI’s flagship smoke-free product and surpassed Marlboro net revenue at the end of 2023.[45]
• L&M was launched by Liggett & Myers in 1953.[46] In 1999, the L&M trademark was acquired by Philip Morris Companies Inc, but the rights have been split per country by Philip Morris USA (Altria) and PMI since the spin-off in 2008.[47]
• Chesterfield was first launched in 1873 by the Drummond Tobacco company of Saint Louis, Missouri, and became the first major brand to enter the king-size (85mm) market in 1952.[48]
• Parliament was launched in 1931 and was the first major brand to introduce a filter mouthpiece.[49]
• Philip Morris's eponymous brand gave fame to bellhop Johnny Roventini and his "Call for Philip Morris".[50]
• Zyn, launched in 2016, is the leading brand of nicotine pouches, accounting for more than 60% of the US market in 2022.[51]
• The company also distributes a number of local or historical brands, such as Apollo-Soyuz, Muratti, Virginia Slims, etc..

Research

Philip Morris International's research center is located in Neuchatel, Switzerland and houses Philip Morris International's product research and development program.[52] Between 2009 and 2023, the company indicated spending 12.5 billion dollars on R&D, 99% of which on smoke-free products.[53]

Board of directors

As of June 2025:[54]

• Bonin Bough
• Michel Combes
• André Calantzopoulos – Chairman
• Werner Geissler
• Victoria Harker
• Lisa Hook
• Kalpana Morparia
• Jacek Olczak
• Robert B. Polet
• Dessi Temperley
• Shlomo Yanai

Financials

For the fiscal year 2024, Philip Morris reported earnings of US$7.057 billion with a net annual revenue (excluding excise taxes) of US$37.878 billion.[55] As of June 2025, Philip Morris International had a market cap of $285.27 billion, making it the largest privately owned company in the sector.[56][57]

Other investments

PM Equity Partner is Philip Morris International venture capital arm and invests in early stage and growth-stage companies operating in one of the four investment corridors defined by the company: life sciences, industrial technologies, consumer engagement and product technologies.[59]

In 2021, Philip Morris International acquired Vectura for £1 billion, Fertin Pharma for DKK 5.1 billion, and Otitopic for an undisclosed sum.[60][61][62] These companies were consolidated to form Vectura Fertin Pharma in early 2022, which was operationally separate from other businesses owned by PMI before being resold to Molex in 2025.[60][63]

Foundation for a Smoke-free World

In September 2017, Philip Morris International announced the establishment of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, stating that it would support it with almost US$1 billion of funding over the next 12 years.[64][65] The declared objective of the Foundation was to "evaluate the impact that smoke-free alternatives can have on smokers and public health, assess the effect of reduced cigarette consumption on the industry value chain, and measure overall progress towards a smoke-free world."[64] However, the Foundation, which claimed to be independent, was surrounded with controversy since its inception.[66][67] Its claims to independence have been challenged.[68][66][69]

The World Health Organization issued a statement in which it pointed out the "conflicts of interest involved with a tobacco company funding a purported health foundation", indicating that it would not partner with the Foundation and inviting governments and the public health community to follow its lead.[70] More than one hundred public health organizations have taken a strong stance in rejecting collaboration with the foundation.[67][71] In May 2024, anti-tobacco activist Cliff Douglas was hired as CEO of the Foundation. After negotiating a final payment of $140 million, the organisation split from PMI and rebranded as Global Action to End Smoking.[72]

Australia

The Australian Government announced it would introduce "Tobacco Plain Packaging Laws" on 29 April 2010. Philip Morris International (PMI), arranged for its wholly owned Hong Kong subsidiary Philip Morris Asia (PMA) to "takeover" two Australian subsidiaries – Philip Morris Australia Limited and Philip Morris Limited on 23 February 2011. In June 2011, Philip Morris International announced that it was using ISDS provisions in the Australia-Hong Kong Bilateral Investment treaty (BIT) to demand compensation for Australia's plain cigarette packaging anti-smoking legislation.[73] It was one of several tobacco companies to launch legal action against the Australian Government.[74] In response, British American Tobacco, Philip Morris, Imperial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International took the Australian government to the High Court of Australia to try to stop the government of Australia from introducing plain packaging for tobacco products.

Two challenges to the tobacco plain packaging legislation were heard by the High Court of Australia between 17 and 19 April 2012: "British American Tobacco Australasia Limited and Ors v. Commonwealth of Australia" and "J T International SA v. Commonwealth of Australia".

On 15 August 2012, the High Court handed down orders for these matters, and found that the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011 is not contrary to s 51(xxxi) of the Constitution. On 5 October 2012, the Court handed down its reasons for the decision. By a 6:1 majority (Heydon J in dissent) the Court held that there had been no acquisition of property that would have required provision of "just terms" under s51(xxxi) of the Constitution.[75]

On 18 December 2015, the Tribunal instituted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) issued a unanimous decision (3–0) agreeing with Australia's position that the Tribunal has no jurisdiction to hear PMA's claim. This was due to the fact that PMI used its wholly owned subsidiary PMA to takeover the Australian-based PM subsidiaries in order to specifically sue the Australian Government for bringing in plain packaging laws. PMI was unable to do this itself as the Australia–United States free-trade agreement signed in 2004 did not have any investor-state dispute settlement clauses included—by design.[75]

In 2017, the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization supported Australia's right to enforce plain packaging.[76] In 2017, PMI was instructed to pay the Australia government's legal costs, an estimated 50 million dollars.[77]

In March 2018, the tobacco giant announced that it will cut 150 jobs as part of a major restructure. Tammy Chan, the managing director in Australia, said more efficient ways to deal with retailers were introduced based on digital technology development.[78]

European Union

In 2004, Philip Morris and the European Union reached an agreement according to which Philip Morris would pay $1.25bn until 2016 to end a lawsuit over smuggling charges.[79]

Norway

Philip Morris also sued Norway over the country's ban on displaying tobacco products in stores. It lost the case in 2012.[80]

Poland

In the 1990s, Philip Morris International acquired a controlling share of Poland’s state tobacco company, which owned a factory operating just beyond the boundaries of the notorious Nazi concentration camp.[81]

Russia

The market share of Philip Morris International brands in Russia amounted to 30.1% in 2019. According to National Agency on Corruption Prevention of Ukraine, the total amount of corporate income tax (not including excise) paid by PMI to the Russian budget in 2022 amounted to US$206 million.[82] Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Philip Morris announced its intention to sell its Russian business and exit the market, but has not done so.[82] Because of its reluctance to leave the Russian market, the Ukrainian National Agency on Corruption Prevention included PMI in its International Sponsors of War list in 2023. PMI was removed from the list in July 2024.[83] Its Russian subsidiary remains under sanctions of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

Uruguay

In 2010, the company lobbied against Uruguay's strong anti-smoking laws introducing plain tobacco packaging[84] and filed a complaint against the country (Philip Morris v. Uruguay) under the Switzerland-Uruguay bilateral investment treaty.[85] The company spent $24 million on opposing the Uruguayan regulations.[65] On 8 July 2016, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ruled in favour of Uruguay.[86]

United Kingdom

In August 2014, the company foreshadowed legal action against the Government of the United Kingdom if it went ahead with plans to introduce plain packaging. In a submission to the government, Philip Morris International said it would seek compensation running into "billions of pounds," if the proposed legislation went ahead.[87]

In 2018, an advertising campaign was criticized as hypocritical for urging smokers to quit while promoting other products such as heated tobacco.[88]

Cigarette smuggling in Africa

According to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), PMI's sole distributor in Burkina Faso, Apollinaire Compaoré, has earned millions by participating in cigarette smuggling across West Africa. The report indicates that Compaoré worked with Nigerien narco-trafficker Chérif Ould Abidine, nicknamed Chérif Cocaine, to smuggle Marlboro cigarettes into Libya. This tobacco trafficking contributes to the financing of local conflicts and passes through six countries: Algeria, Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Côte d'Ivoire.[89]

IQOS

In 2017, according to two editors of the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, after publication of a research letter describing harmful chemicals in heat-not-burn tobacco products, people from Philip Morris International contacted the institutions where the researchers worked and questioned the methods used in the study; the editors described this as a form of "pressure to suppress discourse that could harm commercial interests".[90]

In December 2017, Reuters published documents and testimonies of former employees detailing irregularities in the clinical trials conducted by Philip Morris International for the approval of the IQOS product by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite these allegations, Reuters found no evidence that the outcome of the experiments presented to the FDA had been manipulated or falsified. The FDA authorised the marketing of IQOS system as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) in July 2020. IQOS was the first electronic alternative to cigarettes to be granted marketing orders through the FDA's MRTP process.[91]

Plain packaging

From 2013, Philip Morris International sponsored research at the University of Zurich (Switzerland) on the influence of plain tobacco packaging on youth smoking. The researchers found no effect and the lead author publicly asserted his independence. In 2023, an annex of the contract was published, revealing that PMI decided if, and in which form, the study should be published.[92]

Other

From the 1970s to the late 1990s, Philip Morris along with British American Tobacco, was involved in campaigns to undermine bans against smoking in Muslim majority countries by branding Muslims who opposed smoking as a "'fundamentalist’ who wishes to return to sharia law," and be "a threat to existing government as” according to leaked documents.[93] A 1985 report from Philip Morris squarely blamed the World Health Organization: “This ideological development has become a threat to our business because of the interference of the WHO [...] The WHO has not only joined forces with Muslim fundamentalists who view smoking as evil, but has gone yet further by encouraging religious leaders previously not active anti-smokers to take up the cause."[93] Philip Morris has refused to comment on these findings.[93]

Philip Morris International announced in 2011 an overhaul of its human rights protections of tobacco workers in Kazakhstan and 30 other tobacco-producing countries after critical reports.[94]

In February 2015, John Oliver highlighted the company's many international legal cases on an episode of his television show Last Week Tonight. He also attempted to raise awareness for his campaign using the hashtag #JeffWeCan.[95]