Frederic De Wilde, President SSEA, CIS & MEA Region at Philip Morris International (PMI), has called for progressive regulations to enable science-backed, less harmful alternatives to smoking in India. Speaking at the Times Group ET NOW Global Business Summit 2025, De Wilde highlighted that despite 300 million tobacco users in India, with 100 million smokers, scientific innovation can transform public health outcomes.
“The biggest challenge for any evolving industry is regulation. Science and technology are redefining the tobacco sector globally, but to create long-term impact, policies must reflect modern realities and innovation,” De Wilde said. He emphasized that regulatory modernization could accelerate industry transformation, encourage investments, and position India as a key player in the global tobacco sector.
Citing global trends, De Wilde pointed to Japan, where cigarette consumption has halved due to alternative products, and Sweden, which boasts Europe’s lowest smoking rate and lung cancer incidence. He urged India to adopt a similar structured regulatory approach to facilitate the transition to scientifically validated alternatives. De Wilde also underscored PMI’s commitment to sustainability, particularly in supporting Indian tobacco farmers with sustainable agricultural practices. He reiterated PMI’s willingness to engage with policymakers to align science-driven innovations with India’s regulatory priorities. The Times Group ET NOW Global Business Summit 2025 brought together global leaders and policymakers to discuss industry transformation, innovation, and economic growth.
