If an adult consumer smokes, we hope they choose one of our brands. However, if a smoker decides to quit, we want to help them be more successful. In doing so, we accept that our actions may lead to further declines in cigarette consumption.
PM USA supports QuitAssist,a free information resource from Altria’s tobacco companies designed to help connect adult tobacco users who have decided to quit to expert quitting information from public health authorities and others.
The QuitAssist website also highlights the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s "5 Keys for Quitting."
PM USA launched the website in 2004 in conjunction with a review board with expertise in the area of smoking cessation.
Over time, PM USA used a variety of methods to raise awareness of the QuitAssist website, including:
- miniature brochures affixed to cigarette packs;
- television, radio and online advertising;
- paid advertising on web search tools; and
- links on branded websites and direct mail materials.
The site is available at
www.QuitAssist.com. Adult consumers who decide to quit using tobacco can learn about QuitAssist through PM USA’s corporate and branded websites, email and direct mail marketing materials.
Since 2004, PM USA has supported the
Duke Center for Nicotine and Smoking Cessation Research now called the Duke Center for Smoking Cessation. PM USA expects to provide a total of $37 million to the center through May 2012 to develop, evaluate and disseminate improved methods for quitting smoking.
To date the center has achieved a number of advancements in smoking cessation research. For example, the center has developed and validated a new nicotine patch dosing regimen that doubles abstinence rates. It has also developed a treatment strategy to identify smokers who do not respond to nicotine replacement therapies, and who may benefit from switching to alternative therapies.
As indicated by the terms of this grant, Philip Morris USA has no right to direct or influence how the research is conducted, and has no right to exercise any control or influence regarding the publication or dissemination of research results. The grant simply requires that the funded research be conducted in the field of smoking cessation science.
We strongly encourage the CNSCR to publish its research results in peer reviewed scientific publications and journals without prior review of, or approval by, PM USA. Under the terms of this grant, PM USA does not have any intellectual property rights to new products that are developed at the Center; the Duke University CNSCR will own all such rights. PM USA requires that all publications resulting from the funded research disclose PM USA’s financial support of the research.
