Philip Morris ‘buy back’ scheme for menthol cigarettes to open following ban

PML’s ‘Buy-Back’ system will allow retailers to return UK duty-paid packs of PML’s menthol brands including Marlboro Green, Marlboro Ice Blast and Chesterfield Green.

Retailers will have from 20 May until 1 July to apply for the scheme and submit the quantity of menthol cigarettes that they possess.

They will then be provided with full details on the Buy-Back process once they have signed up and have until 1 September 2020 to return their unsold packs.

Philip Morris in the UK will use recorded delivery options for retailers to return the stock.

All retailers will be able to access the system including those not already part of Philip Morris’ retailer programme, Heetwave.

Retailers not signed up to the Heetwave open platform will need to register via the retailer hub where they can also sign up to become IQOS Menthol Kit stockists.

The news comes as PML’s IQOS Menthol Kits become available for convenience retailers to stock.

The kits, which have been specifically designed for convenience retail, feature one IQOS 2.4+ device and two 20-stick packs of its menthol tobacco sticks known as ‘Heets.’

The rrp for the kit is £49 which drops to £39 if customers register their device with PMI.

PML’s head of field force in the UK & Ireland said: “Philip Morris’ Buy-Back system will support retailers following the implementation of the menthol cigarette ban, while our IQOS Menthol Kits will open up new profit streams and help businesses retain those menthol customers who do not or cannot quit nicotine and tobacco use completely.”