KUWAIT: Philip Morris Kuwait WLL (PMK), an affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI) has announced the launch of IQOS ILUMA i in Kuwait. The launch follows the recent ten year anniversary of IQOS, originally launching in Nagoya, Japan in 2014. IQOS ILUMA i is the latest and most innovative addition to PMI’s growing portfolio of smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke. While not risk-free, this range of less harmful alternatives to cigarettes includes multiple generations of IQOS, the No. 1 tobacco heating system.

Ross Donovan, General Manager of Philip Morris Kuwait, commented: “A smoke-free, sustainable future is our central objective. Today, we’re accelerating our journey in Kuwait by bringing our most advanced device, designed for a cleaner and more intuitive experience. There is growing awareness of smoke-free alternatives in Kuwait and this consumer-tailored, cutting-edge innovation will help to support even more adults to transition away from cigarettes. With continued innovation, regulatory support, and societal collaboration, we believe we can accelerate the decline of cigarette use globally, and in many countries, make them obsolete within the next 10 to 15 years.”

For over 10 years, PMI has invested heavily in developing a portfolio of scientifically-backed smoke-free alternatives, led by IQOS, that are a better choice than continued smoking. As of Q1-2025, PMI reported that more than 40 percent of its revenue comes from these products, with the ambition for the contribution to reach two-thirds by 2030. Today, there are 25 markets where PMI’s smoke-free product revenues exceed 50 percent of total net revenue, including Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Poland, and Romania.

“IQOS ILUMA i is our most innovative offering to date and the new flagship in our portfolio of scientifically substantiated, heat-not-burn smoke-free systems,” said Oggie Kapetanovic, President Heat-Not-Burn Platforms at PMI. “Like previous IQOS devices, it emits, on average, 95 percent lower levels of harmful chemicals compared with cigarettes. We are proud that consumer feedback continuously fuels our innovation, and IQOS ILUMA i is a testament to that.”

IQOS ILUMA i features

The IQOS ILUMA i is comprised of three devices: IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, IQOS ILUMA i and IQOS ILUMA i ONE. Currently the IQOS ILUMA i PRIME and IQOS ILUMA i are available in Kuwait. All three deliver an experience that is clean and seamless thanks to PMI’s bladeless SMARTCORE INDUCTION SYSTEM and bring a range of adaptable new features. The new touch screen on the device’s holder allows adult users to see relevant information quickly and easily. To personalize the experience, IQOS ILUMA i introduces a new Pause Mode. By swiping up or down on the touch screen, users can pause and resume the device usage where they left off4. Additionally, FlexPuff allows adult users to set the pace of their experience.

KUWAIT: Chairman of Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Dr Khaled Al-Mughamis held talks on Monday with Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kuwait, Nisreen Rabian, on ways to enhance cooperation and joint humanitarian initiatives, particularly in support of refugee issues. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al-Mughamis underlined the importance of forging effective partnerships between international and regional humanitarian organizations, emphasizing the need to boost support and expand avenues of collaboration as a pressing humanitarian imperative. He called for the establishment of open platforms for dialogue and information exchange to strengthen the humanitarian sector, noting that discussions with UNHCR focused on bolstering coordination to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and other regions amid mounting global humanitarian challenges.

Officials take a group photo after the meeting.

Al-Mughamis lauded the UNHCR’s efforts in assisting refugees and displaced populations affected by conflict and natural disasters, reaffirming Kuwait’s unwavering commitment to upholding humanitarian and relief responsibilities on the global stage. For her part, Rabian affirmed that the meeting aimed to further coordination and integration with local and international partners to help improve conditions for refugees worldwide. She commended Kuwait’s humanitarian role, highlighting the vital contributions of governmental and civil society institutions, including charities and philanthropic organizations.

She noted that the Kuwait Red Crescent Society remains a key supporter of UNHCR efforts, particularly in delivering essential services to refugees such as the Rohingya minority in Bangladesh. These include providing safe living conditions and implementing educational initiatives. Rabian also expressed appreciation for KRCS’ leading role in humanitarian action and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to implement urgent relief programs. — KUNA

KUWAIT: An Amiri decree-law issued Sunday annulled article 29 of law no. 47 of 1993, commonly known as the “He Who Sold His House” law, as part of broader efforts to promote justice, equality and fair housing distribution. The article had allowed a specific group of citizens — those who received Kuwait Credit Bank housing loans between April 15, 1992 and Feb 15, 2015, and later sold their homes and repaid their loans — to once again benefit from rental or usufruct-based housing assistance.

However, this excluded others who sold their homes outside the specified period or sold ready-built housing units allocated by the Public Authority for Housing Welfare, leading to unequal treatment. The explanatory memorandum accompanying the decree-law highlighted the negative consequences of Article 29,

including its contradiction of the state’s goal of equitable housing distribution.

It stressed that the continued implementation of the article was inconsistent with national efforts to prioritize citizens still awaiting housing aid. The law will take effect upon publication in the official gazette, and its repeal is intended to address legislative gaps and ensure support reaches those with the most urgent need.

Meanwhile, the interior ministry warned on Sunday of “fraudulent” messages posing as official demands from the interior ministry to obtain confidential financial information. The ministry denied in a statement cited by KUNA “any link to fraudulent means and forged documents sent under its name demanding financial information”. The ministry affirmed that it never requests such information or data.

The ministry also called on the public to ignore such messages or calls and urged that no one should provide sensitive information over the phone or through messages or any other means. Local media reported that fraudsters have made audio or video calls to citizens and residents, posing as officers from the interior ministry, and demanded confidential information from them.

Such callers threatened to take action against those who fail to supply the requested information, including a copy of both faces of bank cards, which allowed these thieves to withdraw money from the victims. The interior ministry advised the public not to pay heed to such gangs.

Separately, the Public Authority of Manpower said on Sunday that it has issued citations to 33 local establishments in June for asking their employees to work outdoors, adding that the establishments corrected the violations immediately. The authority has banned companies from asking their employees to work under the sun between 11 am until 4 pm between June 1 and Aug 31. Kuwait has been implementing this practice for the past several years because of the scorching heat of the summer, when temperatures soar above 50 degrees Celsius.