Philip Morris is planning for a future with smoke-free products.
Keystone / Laurent Gillieron
Tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris may cut as many as 350 jobs in Switzerland next year as it concentrates on smokeless products, according to internal communications seen by a trade union.
The uncertainty surrounding employees at facilities in Neuchâtel and Lausanne in French-speaking western Switzerland comes months after Japan Tobacco International announced 268 job cuts from its Geneva headquarters.
The Neuchâtel regional office of the Unia trade union told the 24 HeuresExternal link newspaper that it has seen an internal email announcing the impending job cuts at Philip Morris. The company told Swiss public broadcaster RTSExternal link that it would release details in the first quarter of 2020.
But it confirmed that it is conducting a strategy review based on increased activities around smokeless tobacco products.
“Some time ago, we announced organizational changes to meet our ambitions of a smoke-free world, where cigarettes will be rapidly replaced by less harmful products based on science,” spokesman Tommaso Di Giovanni told RTS, adding that new staff had been taken as a result. “We are now in a phase where we are evaluating the best organizational structure to face the new challenges. And it’s clear that we’re discussing changes in central functions.”
Unia said the proposed job cuts would affect Philip Morris’s research and development unit as opposed to production sites, which is why the union says it had not been officially consulted on the plans.
More
More
Switzerland: the land of the tobacco industry
This content was published on
Though Switzerland has not yet ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Geneva is hosting an important meeting on the treaty.
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Swiss government open to reversing ban on new nuclear plants
This content was published on
The Federal Council is backtracking on a ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants that was passed by voters in 2017.
Swiss government criticised for delay in insect protection
This content was published on
Five years after the House of Representative's Environment Committee voted in favour of better protection for insects, Swiss NGO Birdlife criticises the government's hesitant action.
Marcel Hug and Elena Kratter to carry Swiss flag at Paralympics
This content was published on
Swiss athletes Marcel Hug and Elena Kratter will carry the Swiss flag at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in Paris on Wednesday.
This content was published on
Around 80 Japan Tobacco International (JTI) staff gathered outside their Geneva headquarters on Tuesday to share their concerns about job cuts.
Federal body slams negative influence of tobacco industry
This content was published on
The Federal Commission for Tobacco PreventionExternal link accuses three international tobacco giants, with regional headquarters in Switzerland, of manipulating the debate with their own campaigns that promise alternative solutions to smoking related health problems. “These undermine the health policy objectives of the Federal Council [Swiss government] and exert pressure and influence on the political actors.…
Will tobacco-friendly Switzerland change its tune on smoking laws?
This content was published on
Switzerland is one of a handful of countries that has not ratified a major global tobacco control treaty. Is change in the air?
This content was published on
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is planning to cut one quarter of its staff in Geneva over a three-year period as part of restructuring measures.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.