Jacek Olczak has committed to accelerating PMI’s progress toward a smoke-free future in his new role as CEO.
He succeeded former CEO André Calantzopoulos—who continues his journey with PMI as the Executive Chairman of the Board—following the company’s 2021 Annual Shareholders Meeting.
It's time to make smoking history
Voiceover: Jacek Olczak, CEO, Philip Morris International
This company wants to change the world.
If we can get there this is going to be really phenomenal.
Fast-paced music starts
Words on screen read: That’s why at Philip Morris International, we’ve committed to deliver a smoke-free future.
Voiceover: Stefano Volpetti, President, Smoke-Free Inhaled Products & Chief Consumer Officer, PMI.
This company has had the courage, the vision and leadership to establish a new direction.
Voiceover: Bin Li, Chief Product Officer, PMI
It's very difficult for a company to sign up for a big transformation like this.
Words on screen read: Our ambition? To move away from cigarettes.
Voiceover: Stacey Kennedy, President Americas Region and CEO of PMI’s U.S. business:
We are building our company's future around better alternatives to smoking.
Voiceover: Michael Voegele, Chief Digital and Information Officer, PMI:
I think it's a unique challenge being part of a team that revolutionizes the industry.
Words on screen read: Since 2008, we’ve invested over 12.5 billion dollars in scientific substantiated smoke-free products.
Moira Gilchrist, Chief Communications Officer, speaks:
So, we've become a company that's centered on bringing better options to people.
Voiceover: Jacek Olczak, CEO, Philip Morris International
In just 10 years, we could be saying to people: “Remember when people smoked?”
Words on screen read: By 2030, we aim to have more than two-thirds of our net revenue come from smoke-free business.
We were at 38 percent (as of September 30, 2024).
Source: PMI Q3 Results 2024
Voiceover: Moira Gilchrist, Chief Communications Officer: The facts are out there, and they’re clearly verified and verifiable.
Voiceover: Lars Dahlgren, President, Smoke-Free Oral Products and CEO, Swedish Match:
I've been impressed with the boldness of PMI articulating that the future is smoke free products.
Words on screen read: Currently our smoke-free products are available in 92 markets
Source: PMI Q3 Results 2024
Voiceover: Dr Badrul Chowdhury, Chief Life Sciences Officer, Smoke-Free Products:
You actually have a product where the hundred or so chemicals which are known to be harmful are reduced or eliminated. That's the scientific breakthrough.
Voiceover: Dr Moira Gilchrist, Chief Communications Officer, PMI:
This is transforming the entire industry.
Voiceover: Jacek Olczak, CEO, Philip Morris International:
The evidence is clear. Smoke-free alternatives can accelerate the end of smoking. The world has to move now to help smokers to move to the better alternative.
Words on screen read: 30.8 million adults globally are using our leading heated tobacco product, of which 22.1 million have switched completely and stopped smoking.
Approximate numbers as of June 30, 2024. Source: PMI Q2 Results 2024.
Voiceover: Jacek Olczak, CEO, Philip Morris International:
It's time to make smoking history.
Philip Morris International logo is seen on screen.
PMI’s objectives will continue to be led by science, facts, innovation, and new thinking under his leadership.
But Mr. Olczak—who was also elected to the Board of Directors—says his focus is on increasing the pace of change for adult smokers, and society in general. His aim is to deliver less harmful alternatives to cigarettes to the millions of men and women who would otherwise continue to smoke.
“I am humbled and excited to lead PMI as we accelerate our transformation into a smoke-free company.
“Our evolving portfolio will drive our long-term future. We will lean into our scientific research and expertise, using our collective skills and imagination to innovate beyond our existing portfolio and explore new areas of business development.”
Increasing the pace toward a smoke-free future
Fueled by our ambition to create positive change, we are already delivering on our 2016 commitment to replace cigarettes with less-harmful alternatives as soon as possible for those men and women who would otherwise continue to smoke.
Under Mr. Olczak’s oversight as Chief Operating Officer (COO), PMI increased the proportion of its total net revenue derived from smoke-free products to almost 25 percent in 2020, up from essentially zero five years ago. Our smoke-free products are now available for sale in 66 markets, and an estimated 14 million adults have already switched to our flagship better alternative and stopped smoking. *
“PMI today is an entirely different place to what it was when I joined,” said Mr. Olczak, who began at the company almost 30 years ago as a finance manager. “Our products, our people, and our purpose have evolved.
“Over this period, my life has changed, and PMI has changed—evolving from a cigarette manufacturer to a science- and technology-led company. We’ve fundamentally transformed our business to deliver on our vision of a smoke-free future—a future I remain focused on delivering.”
Accelerating the work of PMI's visionaries
On Mr. Olczak’s succession to the position of CEO, which was announced in December 2020, his predecessor, Mr. Calantzopoulos, said, “Jacek is ideally placed to deliver PMI’s smoke-free vision in his new role as CEO. His passion for the company and our employees underpins his drive for results, as does his deep knowledge of our products, systems, values, and investors. I believe he is the ideal leader to ensure our business’s continued growth and deliver shareholder value. I look forward to continuing to work with him in my new capacity as Executive Chairman of the Board.”
In reply, Mr. Olczak added, “The possibility that we could see an end to cigarettes in our lifetimes did not spring to life on its own. For this, we owe thanks to André for his clear vision, and to our former CEO and Chairman, Louis Camilleri.
“Under my leadership, and with the contributions of more than 70,000 employees who share our vision, PMI will continue this journey. Guided by science, facts, innovation, imagination, and new thinking, our roadmap to a better future remains unchanged.
“Only now, we will accelerate our pace.”
Rigid ideology stifles change—but science and facts can drive progress
Mr. Olczak is driven by an ambition to deliver better. That means better products for our consumers, a better workplace for PMI’s employees, and a better world in which we can live.
It is time we worked together toward our common cause. The indisputable facts of science must challenge outdated ideologies based only on ill-informed opinions. Only then can we unlock the door to a smoke-free future.
“Rigid ideology hinders change. Hinders opportunity. Hinders progress,” said Mr. Olczak.
“I will allow neither our progress, nor the speed at which we achieve it, to be compromised.
“Science, innovation, and pushing for what is right will succeed. Indeed, it is already succeeding.”
