Israel medical conference quits cigarette company’s sponsorship
Philip Morris International, which makes Marlboro, confirms it was asked to withdraw from upcoming event in Jerusalem
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One of the world’s largest cigarette producers withdrew its sponsorship of the annual Israel Medical Convention, set to take place in Jerusalem in two weeks, at the request of the organizers.
The conference is considered one of the more important events in the Israeli medical community, and is sponsored by a number of different important medical and other organizations. According to Channel 2, one of those organizations was Philip Morris International, which manufactures Marlboro cigarettes.
The main theme of the conference is the connection between medicine and society, and both President Reuven Rivlin and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat are scheduled to address the conference.
One of the conference sponsors, local Jerusalem newspaper Kol HaIr, told Channel 2 that “Philip Morris suggested holding a discussion about lessening the damage caused by tobacco, but after other sponsors expressed concerns that they did not feel comfortable with this, it was decided to cancel [the sponsorship].”
Philip Morris says it is working on products that have the potential to reduce the risk of smoking-related diseases.
“Recent years have seen accelerated technological innovation transforming our industry with a wide range of non-combustible nicotine products that have the potential to significantly reduce health risks when compared to smoking,” the company said in a statement. “Philip Morris International has been a driving force in this transformation. Our ambition is to lead a full-scale effort to ensure that non-combustible products ultimately replace cigarettes.”
The American Cancer Society estimates that six million people die each year from tobacco use.
The Times of Israel Community.