Tobacco News

Leading tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris International (PMI) has issued full legal proceedings against the Australian government, following its approval of legislation that will ban logos and other distinctive branding from tobacco products sold in the country.

As NewLegal Review reported in July, PMI had already signalled its intention to launch full proceedings if the long-planned legislation were passed. In the corporation’s view, any move by Australia towards statutory enforcement of plain tobacco packaging would violate its bilateral treaty with Hong Kong, Ream more »

Smokers might be in line for a big payday as a jury deliberates a decade-long lawsuit over the perceived safety of light cigarettes.

The case pits smokers against tobacco giant Philip Morris. Damages could amount to $700 million, and anyone in Missouri who smoked Marlboro Light cigarettes will be eligible for thousands of dollars.

It’s taken 11 years for the case to get a jury. They’re deciding if Philip Morris should pay up for deceiving smokers. Ream more »

Last week, the board of directors of tobacco giant Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) approved a 20.3% increase in its quarterly dividend to 77 cents per share. This was the fourth consecutive annual dividend increase for the company since it was spun off from Altria Group (NYSE:MO) in 2008.

In a previous article, I outlined a few reasons why I am buying Philip Morris International now. The company is well positioned to capitalize on its strong brand in emerging economies, Ream more »

Tobacco giant Philip Morris International is using freedom of information laws to try to get hold of primary data and researchers’ notes from academic studies on smoking among teenagers.

The data comes from longitudinal studies conducted by the University of Stirling’s Centre for Tobacco Control Research into the effects on teenagers of how cigarettes are packaged and displayed. The work is funded by Cancer Research UK, which set up the centre in 1999 to look into why children start smoking.
Ream more »

Philip Morris International has tried to force the University of Stirling to hand over secret data into teenage smoking and cigarette packaging gathered over more than a decade.
The manufacturers behind the popular Marlboro brand, have used Freedom of Information laws to gain access about 6000 confidential interviews undertaken with teenagers as young as 13, which discuss their views on smoking and tobacco. Ream more »

A number of years ago, my sister spent the summer studying in Mali, West Africa.

While on a trip into the bush, she awoke early one morning to the sound of a sales pitch coming over what sounded like a public address system.

Unzipping her tent, she watched dumbfounded, as a Marlboro Adventure Team 4×4 rolled through the literal middle of nowhere as company representatives distributed free samples across territory that had not yet been annexed by the ruling party of Marlboro Country.
Ream more »

A standing-room-only crowd in the gallery — and more than two dozen jurors and alternates spilling from the jury box — packed a courtroom here Monday to hear opening statements in a trial that pits regional and local medical providers against Big Tobacco.
Everything about the case is large: Ream more »

Pale-blue “FDA Compliant” signs with big, red check marks are being taken off machines at Philip Morris USA’s plant in South Richmond.
Philip Morris USA had been phasing in new packaging that complies with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration ban on terms like “light” or “mild” on cigarettes. The ban takes effect June 22. Read more

Leading tobacco and retail groups were on Friday preparing to hit back over a record price-fixing fine imposed by the competition watchdog in its growing crackdown on allegedly illegal dealings between manufacturers and suppliers. Read more

The Bangkok-based Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Coalition (SATCC) has expressed “shock” and “disappointment” over the Tanauan City government’s decision to name one of its streets in Batangas after the US cigarette brand Philip Morris. Read more