VALENCIA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) (NYSE:PM) and Dorna Sports S.L., the commercial rights holder for the world FIM MotoGP Championships, have extended their partnership until the end of 2021.

The two organizations have collaborated successfully for 26 years. As of 2019, the partnership will focus on advancing the cause of a smoke-free world.

More than 1 billion people smoke today and, according to the World Health Organization, will continue to smoke in the near future. PMI has committed to transform its business and encourage all men and women who would otherwise continue smoking to replace cigarettes with better alternatives as soon as possible.

With around 350 million MotoGP fans worldwide, MotoGP can play a significant role in positively impacting the lives of people who smoke and those around them.

“The best choice for consumers concerned about the health risks of smoking is to quit tobacco and nicotine altogether. Today, however, technology, science and innovation provide a real opportunity to encourage all men and women who continue smoking to switch from cigarettes to less harmful, smoke-free alternatives,” said PMI Vice President Global Event Partnerships, Riccardo Parino.

“Working together with Dorna, we can accelerate positive change for the millions of MotoGP fans who smoke.”

The partnership will be used to raise awareness of the benefits of quitting smoking and the potential role of innovative solutions based on science for those adults who would otherwise continue to smoke. PMI and Dorna will share more details about their joint initiative in 2019.

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said: “Dorna is passionate about constantly improving the sport and the fan experience. Every year, technology and innovation are helping to improve MotoGP racing. By working with PMI, we can make a difference by encouraging a positive change at MotoGP events around the world.”

Burning tobacco generates smoke and the vast majority of harmful toxicants generally associated with smoking-related diseases. Since PMI became a public company in 2008, we have spent more than USD 4.5 billion to develop, substantiate and build manufacturing capacity for a wide portfolio of smoke-free products.

Find out more about our vision of a smoke-free future at www.pmi.com.

About Philip Morris International: Building a Smoke-Free Future

Philip Morris International (PMI) is leading a transformation in the tobacco industry to create a smoke-free future and ultimately replace cigarettes to the benefit of adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, society, the company and its shareholders. PMI is a leading international tobacco company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, smoke-free products and associated electronic devices and accessories, and other nicotine containing products in markets outside the U.S. PMI is building a future on a new category of smoke-free products that, while not risk-free, are a much better choice than continuing to smoke.

Through multidisciplinary capabilities in product development, state-of-the-art facilities and scientific substantiation, PMI aims to ensure that its smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. PMI's smoke-free IQOS product portfolio includes heated tobacco and nicotine-containing vapor products. As of Sept. 30, 2018, PMI estimates that approximately 5.9 million adult smokers around the world have already stopped smoking and switched to PMI’s heated tobacco product, which is currently available for sale in 43 markets in key cities or nationwide under the IQOS brand. For more information, see our PMI and PMIScience websites.