Two scientific societies deplore the acquisition of Vectura laboratory by Philip Morris

In a joint press release published on November 30, 2021[1], two learned societies, the French-speaking Society of Tobacco (SFT) and the French-speaking Society of Pneumology (SPLF), deplored the acquisition of the Vectura laboratory by Philip Morris International (PMI).

The Vectura laboratory specializes in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), two types of illnesses frequently caused by tobacco. Its acquisition by a tobacco company is denounced by the two learned societies as an unacceptable mix of genres, given that smoking is responsible for 75,000 deaths annually in France, including 40,000 from bronchial cancers and respiratory diseases. Claiming to help treat people who have already been made ill is considered a confusing factor for the general population and clouds the proper understanding of the messages sent to patients by healthcare professionals.

The acquisition of Vectura, a diversification deemed shocking and dangerous

The SFT and the SPLF are also outraged by Philip Morris's diversification strategy known as "Beyond Nicotine", which consists of positioning itself as a health player. One of the perverse effects of this strategy would be "encourage the public to return to the use of tobacco or derivative substances that are also toxic and addictive", such as nicotine or cannabis. The SFT and the SPLF believe that it is their duty to alert their fellow citizens to this mixture of genres, in clear contradiction with the ethical charters from which they draw inspiration; they call for maintaining great vigilance on these sensitive subjects.

The organization Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products (STOP) had herself sounded the alarm on the “Beyond nicotine” strategy and the investments of tobacco manufacturers in the health sector[2]She also pointed out, at the time of the acquisition by PMI, that Vectura should henceforth be considered as a fully-fledged player in the tobacco industry.[3]In July 2021, PMI also acquired two other laboratories, Fertin Pharma and OtiTopic.[4].

Keywords: SFT, SPLF, PMI, Vectura, STOP

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1]SFT-SPLF, Philip Morris International Takes Over Vectura, press release published on November 29, 2021, consulted on 1^er December 2021. [2]Dewhirst T, 'Beyond nicotine' marketing strategies: Big Tobacco diversification into the vaping and cannabis product sectors, Tob Control 2021;0:1–3. [3]For STOP, Vectura must now be treated as a player in the tobacco industry, Tobacco-Free Generation, published September 22, 2021, accessed 1^er December 2021. [4]Philip Morris completes highly contested acquisition of Vectura, Tobacco-Free Generation, published September 21, 2021, accessed 1^er December 2021. National Committee Against Smoking |