For decades, North Macedonia has been a country with a very high number of smokers, which in itself created a negative image of society.

But thanks to one of the companies that made it to the list of 200 LARGEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL companies, this image is changing.

Cigarette smoke in the past was present everywhere – in cafes, restaurants, in front of institutions.

Today, thanks to the new technology of reduced-risk and smoke-free products, we can freely say that the level of cigarette smoke is increasingly decreasing.

Although the best option is not to start smoking at all or, if you are able, to completely quit smoking, this is still very difficult for those who have been smokers for years.

They are aware of the harmful effects of their habits, but very often they cannot give up smoking.

Thanks to the reduced-risk products that are present on the Macedonian market, it is noticeable that habits are changing.

Macedonia follows global trends in reducing the number of cigarettes smoked.

If you are a smoker, today it is almost unacceptable to consume cigarettes in a company and in an environment where there are also non-smokers and at the same time cause serious harm to the public health of others, when it is known that you have alternatives with reduced risk.

TDR SKOPJE leader in the number of products with reduced risk on the Macedonian market

TDR SKOPJE, DOOEL Skopje is part of the BAT (British American Tobacco) family, a leading consumer products company founded in 1902.

Through TDR Skopje, BAT products are also present on the Macedonian market, and thanks to the results, it has established itself on the list of 200 LARGEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL companies in North Macedonia.

BAT is a multinational company engaged in the production and trade of tobacco products, and in recent years has been fully focused on redirecting adult smokers to smoke-free alternatives.

In North Macedonia, the company is present as part of the BAT Adria group, which is strongly positioned on the markets of eight countries in the Balkans: Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Thanks to its strong presence on the Macedonian market and the influence it has on consumers, BAT has deservedly found its place among the Largest Companies in Macedonia.

BAT in Macedonia has started its technological revolution, promoting 3 new categories with reduced risk, namely: electronic cigarettes – VUSE, tobacco heating products – glo™ and nicotine pouches – VELO.

What do users of reduced risk products say?

To better understand the benefits offered by BAT products, electronic cigarettes – VUSE, tobacco heating products – glo™ and nicotine pouches – VELO, we spoke with interlocutors who have decided to switch to smoke-free alternative products.

“I have been a smoker for 15 years and although I have tried to quit smoking several times, it was very difficult for me. After a short break, I almost always returned to my old bad habit. Although I am aware that my habit is harmful to my own health, it also harms those close to me, it is really difficult for me to completely quit smoking. The glo™ tobacco heating device is a much better alternative for me, because it does not release smoke, but aerosols and reduces the risk for my family members,” Elena from Skopje tells club200.mk.

According to another of our interlocutors, VUSE electronic cigarettes are largely what completely changed his life and he believes that they are changing the image of our society.

“Although I have been a smoker for years, I am very bothered by cigarette smoke in closed spaces – in restaurants and cafes. I cannot understand why anyone would smoke cigarettes in such places, or even on open terraces when there are other much safer smoke-free alternatives. When you sit on a terrace, it often happens that a family with small children sits next to you, who inhale the smoke from your cigarettes. Even non-smoking neighbors are bothered by your cigarette smoke that is felt next to them. I believe that VUSE electronic cigarettes are a much safer alternative for public health and the environment” – says Nikola from Veles.

In addition to talking about the classic benefits and reducing the harm to public health, our interlocutors emphasize that using smoke-free alternatives has also greatly helped them regain their self-confidence, because they are discreet products, which also have a great impact on their appearance.

Others like the fact that they have gotten rid of the smell in their home.

“I am a non-smoker, but my husband is a smoker. Although he would often go out on the balcony to smoke cigarettes, it still bothered me that he constantly smelled of cigarette smoke, and I must admit that there were times when I noticed that he took advantage of the opportunity when I was not home to smoke cigarettes in the apartment. Since he started using the glo™ tobacco heating devices, I have noticed that the smell of cigarettes is gone from the house. I think my house has finally been cleaned,” Tanja tells club200.mk.

“What bothers me most about cigarettes is the smell that sticks to you and becomes unbearable. Your nails turn yellow, your clothes smell, your hair smells, and even your bag smells like cigarettes. After switching completely to VUSE e-cigarettes, I became even more aware of how unpleasant the smell of cigarette smoke was, and I realized how much I smelled. Just a few weeks after I switched completely to e-cigarettes, I was on my way to work on public transport when an elderly lady sat next to me, who smelled so much of cigarettes that I was startled. That’s when I realized why so often non-smokers around me frowned or ran away – if I, a former smoker, find the smell unbearable, I can only imagine how it must be for non-smokers,” says Nikolina from Skopje.

VELO nicotine pouches for even greater discretion

From what our interviewees said, it is clear that reduced-risk products are a better alternative to smoking.

But what if you don’t want people to know that you smoke cigarettes at all, you work in places where you don’t have the opportunity to go out, or electronic cigarettes and tobacco heating devices are prohibited?

Then VELO nicotine pouches are the right choice for you.

They help you discreetly satisfy your need for nicotine, using a smoke-free variant without harmful effects on the environment.

TDR SKOPJE helps change the global image of North Macedonia

The accessibility of an increasing number of reduced-risk and smoke-free products helps change the image of Macedonian society.

It is enough to just look around you and realize that people’s habits are changing.

Adult smokers are increasingly opting for lower-risk alternatives, such as tobacco heating devices, electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

Given that BAT is a company that is fully focused on meeting the needs of people looking for products with lower risk, and has the largest range of products, it is clear why it is among the Largest Companies in Macedonia.

You can read more about the harmful effects of smoking and BAT's reduced risk products at the following LINK.

*Based on evidence and assuming a complete replacement of cigarette smoking. These products are not risk-free and are addictive. This product contains nicotine which is addictive. For adults only.