Philip Morris International Inc.PM intends to invest roughly $320 million for building a Smoke-Free Product facility in Dresden, Germany.The construction is planned to start in late 2017 and will be wholly operational early 2019 onwards.The factory is likely to create jobs for nearly 500 workers and will manufacture HEETS, the tobacco units for the electronic tobacco heating device IQOS (Heatsticks that heat tobacco instead of burning it).In fact, this plan will add Germany to the growing list of countries that also includes Italy and Switzerland, where Philip Morris produces tobacco units for IQOS.Further, IQOS has been successful in other European countries as well.The new facility in Germany is expected to further expand the company’s reach.Moving forward, the company plans to convert the cigarette manufacturing factory of its affiliate in Greece to IQOS tobacco unit.This tobacco leader is expected have nearly 100 billion units of annual installed capacity by 2018 end.Notably, as smoking rates have started declining in developed countries, the race to replace cigarettes is putting pressure on the tobacco industry.

In fact, serious health hazards due to cigarette smoking have pushed consumers toward reduced-risk products.Therefore, to cater to the new consumer preference, Philip Morris launched the much talked about IQOS, a smokeless cigarette in Nov 2014.This new product aims toward leading the tobacco industry’s move into reduced-risk products that may eventually replace traditional one.Philip Morris’ iQOS smokeless cigarette looks a lot like a second-generation vaporizer that uses actual tobacco in the shape of small Marlboro cigarettes called HeatSticks that are heated at high temperatures but not burned.In March, the company also announced plans to invest approximately €300 million in order to convert one of its cigarette factory at Papastratos into a manufacturing plant for tobacco sticks for lreduced-risk product — iQOS.IQOS are anticipated to boost market share and offset declining volumes in traditional cigarette business in 2017.The company has already launched IQOS in key cities in 24 markets globally and it further aims to expand nationally in 32 to 35 markets by the end of the year.

It is to be noted that Philip Morris had conducted various researches earlier, which showed that IQOS are safer than conventional cigarettes.Moreover, the company’s efforts to enhance its portfolio and take steps to develop smoke-free products called reduced-risk products are encouraging as customers are shifting away from tobacco products.Philip Morris remains focused on the growing e-cigarette category and less harmful alternative tobacco products such as Heatsticks and iQOS products, and expects these products to deliver growth in 2017.In fact, its strong fundamentals are reflected in its share price movement.This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s shares have rallied 34.5% year to date, outperforming the Zacks categorized – Tobacco industry’s gain of 23.2%.In fact, the company’s shares have hit a 52-week high of $122.98 yesterday though it eventually closed a bit lower at $122.90.Better-ranked stocks in the broader Consumer Staples sector include Constellation Brands, Inc.STZ, MGP Ingredients, Inc.

MGPI and Aramark ARMK carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Constellation Brands delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 7.7% over the trailing four quarters and a long-term earnings growth rate of 17.8%.MGP Ingredients came up with an average positive earnings surprise of 27% over the trailing four quarters and a long-term earnings growth rate of 15%.omicron portable vaporizer reviewAramark pulled off an average positive earnings surprise of 4.5% over the trailing four quarters and a long-term earnings growth rate of 12%.d&w vape reviewLooking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?g pro herbal vaporizer cost

Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021.Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.See the pot trades we're targeting>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research?e cigarette roquesToday, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.vaporizer black boxClick to get this free report Constellation Brands Inc (STZ): Free Stock Analysis Report Aramark (ARMK): Free Stock Analysis Report MGP Ingredients, Inc.vaporizer center pinZacks Investment Research Follow MrTopStep in our Social Space:iqos amber

Cigarettes that heat tobacco as opposed to burning it have been touted as the safest way of smoking in recent years.But new research suggests that theory to be untrue, finding these 'smokeless' ones may contain more cancer-causing chemicals than believed.Smoking giant Philip Morris markets its IQOS device, which tobacco sticks can be placed into to be heated, as containing 90 per cent less toxins.However, a study found it contains some chemicals that are strongly linked to cancer in much higher concentrations than previously reported.These included carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, scientists said.While the smoke of this gadget still has 84 per cent of the nicotine found in traditional cigarettes.iqos scienceSmoke released by these heat-not-burn e-cigarette devices contain 84 per cent of the nicotine found in traditional cigarettes, a study shows (pictured: the IQOS cigarette by Philip Morris International)Swiss researchers behind the study added that 'there is no safe minimum limit' for some of these dangerous chemicals.Based on the findings, the authors believe these products should fall under the same indoor smoking bans in place for conventional cigarettes.iq test wiki

This would prevent bystanders from breathing the fumes.Lead author Dr Reto Auer, of the University of Bern, said not enough is yet known about smoking heat-not-burn cigarettes and their use should be restricted in the mean time.He said: 'We need more studies to find out about the health consequences.Some of these chemicals may contribute to the high mortality rate of smokers.'WHAT ARE HEAT-NOT-BURN E-CIGARETTES?Heat-not-burn e-cigarettes were originally created by tobacco giant Philip Morris International.They were behind a smokeless device known as IQOS, that is said to contain 90 per cent less toxins that ordinary ones.Different from e-cigarettes, the electronic device is used with mini tobacco sticks, in the form of Marlboro HeatSticks or others, as opposed to a nicotine-laced liquid.These are then placed into the device before being heated, which experts say makes them much less harmful because they aren't burning the tobacco.But experts argue that the innovative device will never be safer than e-cigarettes and doesn't appear to be a safe option.

For the study, they analysed the chemical compounds and nicotine in smoke from Lucky Strike Blue Light cigarettes.This was compared to that of the contents of the IQOS device filled with Marlboro HeatSticks that contain tobacco.They are designed to give their users the taste of tobacco without the smoke or ash that comes with more conventional methods - eliminating a large chunk of toxins that traditional smokers inhale.A smoking device was developed to capture fumes from both methods of tobacco use, according to the study in JAMA Internal Medicine.Dr Auer added: 'Harmful chemicals were present in IQOS smoke, though in lower concentrations, on average.'Weneed to conduct more studies to find out whether IQOS are safer for users or bystanders.'DrMitchell Katz, deputy editor of the journal the study was published in, said the findings were concerning.He said the results demonstrate that 'heat-not-burn products release carcinogens, so the use of these products in public space would harm the health of both the user and those around the user'.