PMI Spain CEO: Collaborating with New Health Minister for Public Health

According to a report by Spain's European News Agency on January 9th, Daniel Cuevas, the President of PMI Spain, expressed his desire to further collaborate with the newly appointed Health Minister, Mónica García, in order to strengthen tobacco prevention measures and protect non-smokers and minors from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Kwevas emphasized his support for strengthening the regulation of new tobacco products and acknowledged that progress in sales rules and taxes has not reached the expected pace. He specifically focused on regulation of packaging, flavors, and sales channels to ensure that these products do not end up in the hands of minors.

Although Cuevas believes that e-cigarettes are a substitute for traditional tobacco, he advocates for their inclusion in regulatory measures. He emphasizes that there should not be product packaging or flavors that may attract underage individuals, such as cartoon designs or flavors resembling candy or cheesecake. Cuevas expresses appreciation for the preliminary stance of the Minister of Health, noting that her primary objective is to protect public health, including the well-being of both smokers and non-smokers.

Quivas refers to this approach as the "progressive method," emphasizing the shared goal of protecting non-smokers and preventing children from smoking. He states that the company is willing to engage in dialogue with the Ministry of Health to jointly establish a solution for preventing smoking. In this regard, the company has formally requested a meeting with the Minister.

In addition, Kwiatkowski mentioned that he will be studying the air quality in public places such as restaurant patios in order to make informed decisions regarding tobacco and new nicotine consumption products. He expressed his respect for the research findings of independent research organizations and pledged to maintain an open attitude towards the impact on air quality.

Quivas believes that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco do not emit secondhand smoke and pose no harm to non-smokers. If research confirms this conclusion, he advocates for coexistence between smokers and non-smokers to prevent stigmatization of smokers. He acknowledges the Health Department's concerns regarding outdoor smoking and stresses the importance of being cautious when dealing with outdoor spaces.

Juarez is optimistic about the prospects of reconciliation with the public health sector and commends the company's efforts in transformation. He calls for the promotion and development of alternatives to prevent people from continuing to use traditional tobacco, thereby causing further harm.