The group science and regulatory affairs director for Imperial Brands PLC said his company recognizes its role in helping to reduce harm and contribute to public health through tobacco harm reduction (THR) efforts.
“We understand society’s concerns about the health risks of smoking, and as a responsible business we also recognise our role in helping to potentially reduce smoking-related harm through making a meaningful contribution to the public health concept of tobacco harm reduction (THR),” said Joe Thompson in a statement on the company's web site. “Harm reduction involves taking mitigating action to reduce the potential harm associated with a risky behaviour — like using a seatbelt when driving a car or putting on sun cream before going to the beach.
“THR works on the same principle,” said Thompson. “In the past, nicotine has mostly been consumed through burning tobacco. The greatest health risk of smoking comes from inhaling the resulting smoke, which contains thousands of chemicals. Cigarettes deliver nicotine, but it’s crucial to understand nicotine isn’t the primary cause of smoking-related disease.”
Thompson, who has worked with Imperial since April 2000, according to his LinkedIn profile, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a European Registered Toxicologist (ERT), and a Chartered Biologist (MSoB).
His comments were made on the “Beyond Smoke” page on the company’s web site in which the company details its efforts in THR “consumer-centric science and innovation.”
Imperial in 2024 launched the "Zone" brand, expanding its nicotine product portfolio in the U.S. market. The brand introduced modern oral nicotine pouches designed with a soft material and increased moisture content. The product was developed as part of Imperial Brands' strategy to provide alternatives to traditional tobacco products that do not require combustion.
This followed Imperial Brands’ June 2023 acquisition of a range of nicotine pouches from Canadian manufacturer TJP Labs. This allowed Imperial to expand its product portfolio under the “Zone” brand.
“We’re committed to working at pace with both in-house teams and external partners to create satisfying NGP that further boost switching rates away from cigarettes,” said Thompson. “If we succeed, we’ll contribute to improving broader consumer health — specifically, the health outcomes of millions of adult smokers across the globe.”
Founded in 1901, Imperial Brands is a multinational company headquartered in the United Kingdom. It operates in multiple international markets through subsidiaries such as ITG Brands in the United States. The company t is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol IMB.