Corporate Accountability International Brings Campaign Challenging Big Tobacco to the Phillip Morris International Shareholder’s Meeting

5/12/2010

On May 12, 2010, a team from Corporate Accountability International joined nurses and religious leaders as well as students active with Essential Action, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and REAL: Hawaii Youth Movement Exposing the Tobacco Industry to directly challenge Philip Morris CEO Louis Camilleri at annual shareholders’ meeting over the corporation's interference in public health policy and Big Tobacco's devastating impact on people's lives.

The students boldly opened the question and comment period with a powerful call for a moment of silence for all of those who have been killed by tobacco.

Corporate Accountability International’s Challenging Big Tobacco Campaign Director Kellett directly asked CEO Camilleri, “if not a treaty by the will of the world’s people, what will it take for PMI to stop bullying, interfering in, and outright obstructing the enactment of health policies that will save millions of lives?” The CEO assured us that PMI will continue to interfere in health policy around the world, claiming a legitimate seat at the table even as the world celebrates the five year anniversary of the global tobacco treaty.

Kyra Harris called on Phillip Morris International to follow article 5.3 of the global tobacco treaty, and end interference with public health policy-making. She asked CEO Camilleri if he agreed that the tobacco industry should comply with international law and not be represented on advisory and other governmental bodies.

Joby Gelbspan, a senior program officer with Corporate Accountability International, noted that PMI continues aggressively marketing to children – indirectly and directly. She questioned the corporate decision to hide PMI’s indirect marketing expenses by not reporting on charitable giving for fiscal year 2010. PMI executives immediately responded to this critique, becoming visibly upset and promising to make this report available in the future.

PMI staunchly defended its irresponsible and dangerous abuses, and claimed that lawsuits against countries like Uruguay and Norway challengin their comprehensive tobacco control policies were "misguided.”

During Camilleri’s closing comments, the students once again took a bold stance: removing their suit jackets to reveal bright yellow t-shirts with a large “6” printed on the front and back. This was a chilling reminder that every 6 seconds tobacco kills another person – and reinforced how important all of our work is to continue challenging Big Tobacco to ensure ongoing implementation of the FCTC’s lifesaving measures.

Read the AP coverage of the meeting here.

Read Corporate Accountability International's statements here.