Supporting military veterans

PMI supports U.S. military veterans as they integrate back into civil society after active duty by contributing to a number of charities that provide the care and guidance they need on their return home and that raise awareness of the issues they – and their families – commonly face.

Our Initiatives

How PMI supports military veterans

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War veterans experience the thrill of F1

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We are among the sponsors of the National Salute to America’s Heroes – an annual weekend memorial and celebration in Miami Beach. Remembering military personnel, first responders and others who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat, this inspirational event features live music and a world-class air and sea show.

We also contribute to the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF), which aims to create positive futures for service members, veterans and their families. The New York-based foundation leverages partnerships with leading non-profits, corporations, the military and the government to find, fund and shape programs that meet the emerging and long-term needs of today’s veterans and their families.

Another cause we’re proud to support is Home Base – a U.S. program that helps members of the military and their families heal from the invisible wounds of war, such as traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. The organization, located in Charlestown, Massachusetts, has provided care and support to more than 21,000 veterans and family members, training over 73,000 clinicians, educators, first responders and community members.

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On a new mission: to support veterans’ causes and start vital conversations

Jonathan Lindsey, a veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces, and now Senior Manager U.S. Engagement at PMI, wants to talk about tobacco harm reduction.

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An important conversation to have

Smoking prevalence in the veteran community is comparatively high. For example, nearly 22 percent of veterans in the U.S. self-reported as current cigarette smokers, compared to 14 percent of active military personnel and the same proportion in the general population. Quitting rates are similar in both cases.

22%

of U.S. veterans smoke
14%

of active U.S. military personnel smoke

A conversation is needed to help support former servicemen and women quit. If they don’t quit – they deserve accurate information about science-based smoke-free alternatives.

As a company, PMI is committed to a smoke-free future. We’re focusing our business on smoke-free alternatives to replace cigarettes as soon as possible – for the hundreds of millions of men and women worldwide who would otherwise continue smoking.

Smoking is a global public health issue and projections based on WHO estimates say there will still be more than a billion smokers in 2025. We believe that dialogue with governments and NGOs can help bring historic change and help decrease smoking prevalence at a faster rate. Smoke-free alternatives are for adults who would otherwise continue smoking, and can complement traditional anti-smoking measures aimed at encouraging cessation and preventing initiation.

Experiencing the thrill of Formula 1 with PMI

In 2019, we organized a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the home of Ferrari in Maranello, Italy, for eight wounded war veterans from the U.S. and U.K.

They reached speeds of 160mph as they were driven around the marque’s famous Fiorano circuit by a professional racing driver in an adapted three-seater Ferrari F1 car.

As a longstanding partner of Scuderia Ferrari, we laid on the thrill ride in association with Home Base and U.K. charity Walking With The Wounded. We’re proud to support these charities and good causes, and we hope to host more exciting events for ex-armed forces in future.