(Sept 26): Philip Morris International Inc. is taking a rather old-world approach to tackle slowing sales of its high-tech smoking devices in Japan: hitting the streets.

The tobacco company is shifting a large majority of its 1,000-employee sales force in Japan to target elderly smokers with direct appeals, discounts and money-back guarantees. The effort is an attempt by the Marlboro maker to sell to an older generation -- Japan’s largest demographic that’s more price sensitive and less responsive to social media -- its next-generation iQos smoking device.

The change in tactics is the latest twist in the battle to find new customers for the high-tech products. Tobacco companies are becoming increasingly vulnerable to falling smoking rates and tighter regulations around the world. Seeking new revenue streams, Imperial Brands Plc said Wednesday it’s jumping into the Japanese market with its first heated-tobacco product, while rivals Philip Morris, Japan Tobacco Inc. and British American Tobacco Plc are investing billions of dollars in cigarette alternatives.

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