Marlboro maker Philip Morris to 'give up cigarettes' for New Year's resolution

Jan. 4 (UPI) -- International tobacco giant Philip Morris said its 2018 New Year's resolution is to "give up cigarettes," according to company advertisements in several British newspapers.

The ads on Tuesday claim the company wants to help people quit smoking cigarettes and will stop selling them, instead offering e-cigarettes and heated tobacco as an alternative. Philip Morris owns cigarette brands Marlboro, Parliament and Chesterfield, among others.

"Philip Morris is known for cigarettes. Every year, many smokers give them up. Now it's our turn," reads one of the ads.

In addition to selling the new products, the company plans to offer support to local stop-smoking services and seek government approval to include information about quitting smoking in cigarette packs.

"We understand the millions of men and women who smoke cigarettes," the company wrote on its website. "They are looking for less harmful, yet satisfying, alternatives to smoking. We will give them that choice."

In response, the American Lung Association called the move an international "media stunt" and issued a terse, one-sentence statement from its president and CEO, Harold P. Wimmer.

"Stop selling cigarettes today," Wimmer said.