Open Science

      PMI’s Open Science events: Driving smoke-free future with innovation

      Philip Morris International (PMI) is committed to delivering a smoke-free future through science and innovation. Our Open Science event series is a key platform for sharing our scientific research and engaging with the global community on topics such as tobacco harm reduction, combustion, smoke-free products, and the health impact of our products.

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      What is Open Science? 

      Open Science is a live, virtual event where our scientific experts explain the fundamental principles behind our research. It began during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, when our researchers were unable to attend scientific conferences. In response, we decided to host our own virtual event where researchers could explain the fundamental principles behind their work, share their scientific results openly with the global scientific community, and answer questions about their work. Today, PMI continues to host these global webcasts featuring lively and engaging conversations on our science, progress, and products. 

      Since our first event in June 2020, we have hosted more than 10 sessions. Postpandemic, these are conducted both virtually and in person, with each lasting approximately one hour. 

      Open Science: See how product innovation relates to our products’ reduced-risk profiles
      past event

      PMI Transformed: The past, present, and future of smoke-free products

      In this event, which took place on November 14, 2024, our panel of experts reflected on the milestones from the research and development of our leading heated tobacco product and the expansion of our smoke-free product portfolio. They also discussed the critical connection between science, product innovation, tobacco harm reduction, and product regulation. 

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      Evolution of Open Science events 

      When the first event was set up in 2020, our goal was to have at least 50 attendees. Today, hundreds of people attend the live events, and many more watch online, including scientists, medical professionals, public health experts, regulators, journalists, members of the public, and PMI employees. Since November 2021, our events have been broadcast from the Cube, PMI’s research and development facility in Switzerland, and feature live discussions, external speakers, and audience interaction.  

      Currently, to cater to the preferences of our audience, we organize two distinct event formats across multiple channels: 

      • Open Science In Brief: Spotlight on a particular topic of interest, with live Q&A 
      • Open Science Events: Live sessions with Q&A

      With over 10 events, more than 10,000 participants viewers from over 50 countries, our Open Science events series has emerged as the prime platform for our audience to delve deeper into our scientific research.

      In August 2022, we were honored to receive a silver Stevie award for Achievement in Science or Technology for our Open Science event series, which has grown from a simple webinar in 2020 to a variety of offerings including live and in-person events.

      Archive

      Explore our Open Science events

      We've found that hosting webinars is a great way for us to share our latest results with the scientific community. In case you missed one, this is a convenient way to access our past Open Science events in chronological order.

      See our past Open Science events
      Open Science: Innovation drives progress: The evolution of smoke-free products
      Innovation drives progress: The evolution of smoke-free products
      June 2024: Learn how innovation drives the development of smoke-free products and the scientific evidence supporting their harm reduction potential.
      Open Science November 2023: You asked, we answer with Moira Gilchrist, Gizelle Baker and other PMI experts
      You Ask, We Answer
      November 2023: Watch our experts address common misconceptions and provide clarity on smoke-free products and their role in tobacco harm reduction.
      Science and sustainability
      Science and Sustainability
      December 2023: Watch us discuss how science and sustainability intersect and see how our transparent approach drives positive societal and environmental impacts.
      Open Science: How switching to smoke-free products has the potential to benefit current adult smokers: a focus on COPD
      How switching to smoke-free products has the potential to benefit current adult smokers: a focus on COPD
      June 2023: Watch this video to learn more about the potential benefits of smoke-free products to public health across multiple countries.
      THS aerosol is different from cigarette smoke
      Is the Tobacco Heating System's aerosol different from cigarette smoke?
      April 2023: Watch our scientists share how we study aerosols and how we know what chemicals are in the aerosol generated by heated tobacco products.
      Illustration of smoke-free products
      Innovative products behind a smoke-free future
      December 2022: Heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes, oral smokeless products. What they are, how they work, and their role in developing a smoke-free world.
      crowd of people viewed from above
      What is real-world evidence and why does it matter?

      September 2022: Dr. Angela van der Plas presents some of the real-world evidence we have gathered on our leading heated tobacco product.

      An open conversation on the science behind smoke-free alternatives​
      An open conversation on the science behind smoke-free alternatives​
      June 2022: Learn why we say scientifically substantiated smoke-free products are better alternatives than cigarettes and can positively impact population health.
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      ENDS and HTPs: Challenges and pitfalls in aerosol analysis
      February 2022: Watch us explain how we measure emissions from smoke-free products, why that's important, and what independent studies have to say.
      We answer your questions at November 2021 Open Science
      Open Science. Open Questions. Open Answers
      November 2021: In this Open Science event, we answered numerous questions around our research and technology, including some from previous events.
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      The challenge of measuring the use of nicotine-containing products
      June 2021: Watch as we explore how to scientifically quantify product use and discuss multiple product use addressing the products' relative risks.
      Open Science: Tobacco Harm reduction and science behind smoke-free alternatives​
      How can smoke-free products contribute to public health outcomes?
      February 2021: Watch our experts discuss how scientifically substantiated smoke-free products can positively impact public health outcomes.
      Difference Between Cigarette Smoke And Smoke-free Product Aerosol
      The fundamental difference between cigarette smoke and heated tobacco product aerosol
      September 2020: Watch PMI's second Open Science event, focused on one of the biggest problems with cigarettes: burning.
      PMI's first online poster session and live Q&A
      PMI's first online poster session and live Q&A
      June 2020: Watch PMI’s first online poster session and live Q&A covering a range of scientific topics.
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      Want to know when the next Open Science event will be?

      Don’t miss out on our upcoming Open Science events. Use the form below to subscribe for updates and receive notifications about future events.

      Open Science FAQ

      Open Science aims to share PMI’s scientific research with the global community, fostering transparency and an open dialogue about our smoke-free products and their impact. 

      Open Science events are held periodically throughout the year. Check our website for the latest schedule and updates.

      Yes, our events are open to anyone interested in learning more about our research, including scientists, doctors, public health experts, regulators, journalists, and the general public.

      You can access past events through our Open Science Events Archive. 

      Visit our PMI Science website for detailed information on our research and scientific publications.

      Get in touch

      We would be happy to hear from you

      Whether you have a question, a comment, or an idea, send us a message. Open dialogue is something we are passionate about, and we would like to know your views.

      Contact us
      Learn more
      Our Scientists
      Meet our team of over 1,580 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff in PMI R&D.
      Scientific Update magazine
      The latest research and developments relating to our smoke-free products
      Conferences calendar
      See where you can meet PMI scientists in person and virtually, and read the latest results.

      PMIScience.com is operated by Philip Morris International for the purpose of publishing and disseminating scientific information about Philip Morris International’s efforts in support of its smoke-free product portfolio. This site is a global site for use by scientists, the public health and regulatory communities, and other stakeholders with an interest in tobacco policy. The purpose of this site is not advertising or marketing, nor is it directed at any specific market. It is not intended for use by consumers. New tobacco products sold in the United States are subject to FDA regulation; therefore the content of this site is not intended to make, and nor should it be construed as making, any product related claims in the United States without proper FDA authorization. ​
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      Reduced Risk Products ("RRPs”) is the term we use to refer to products that present, are likely to present, or have the potential to present less risk of harm to smokers who switch to these products versus continuing smoking. PMI has a range of RRPs in various stages of development, scientific assessment and commercialization. All of our RRPs are smoke-free products that deliver nicotine with far lower quantities of harmful and potentially harmful constituents than found in cigarette smoke.