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AS COUNTRIES ACROSS GLOBE RATIFY TOBACCO TREATY, BIG TOBACCO IS FORCED TO CHANGE ITS WAYS Pressure Builds on Philip Morris/Altria at Annual Shareholders' Meeting For Immediate Release: Contacts: EAST HANOVER, NEW JERSEY--Today Philip Morris/Altria holds its first annual shareholders' meeting since the global tobacco treaty--formally known as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control--took effect. Recent acquisitions suggest that in its expansion, the world's largest and most profitable tobacco transnational is targeting countries that have not ratified the global tobacco treaty. Corporate Accountability International and other activists at this year's meeting are challenging Philip Morris/Altria's irresponsible and dangerous actions, and demanding that the corporation get in step with the global community's expectations and standards. Philip Morris/Altria's three major investments announced since the treaty entered into force suggest a new business strategy. Within one month of the treaty's entry into force, the corporation made plans to take over one of the largest tobacco manufacturers in Indonesia. Philip Morris/Altria is negotiating a deal to license two of China's largest state-owned tobacco manufacturers to make Marlboro cigarettes, and this week it bought Coltabaco, Colombia's largest tobacco corporation. Indonesia and Colombia are two of the few countries that did not sign the global tobacco treaty. "Philip Morris/Altria is aggressively seeking new markets to expand addiction to its deadly products, but the world is moving ahead with measures to prioritize people's lives over Big Tobacco's profits," says Kathryn Mulvey, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability International. "As more and more countries ratify the global tobacco treaty, Philip Morris/Altria is being forced to change the way it operates around the world, and millions of lives will be saved." The global tobacco treaty protects public health policy from tobacco industry interference and bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship in ratifying countries. Philip Morris/Altria--which has tremendous influence over US health policy--claims to support the treaty, but opposes its central provisions. As it is implemented, the treaty will prevent the corporation from addicting new customers with aggressive promotional tactics like the Marlboro Man. Corporate Accountability International is delivering a statement at today's shareholders' meeting on behalf of environmental rights, consumer and public health organizations from across Africa. Addressing CEO Louis Camilleri, the organizations demand that Philip Morris/Altria "stop thinking of countries across the Global South as expansion markets for your deadly products." The statement continues, "People in African countries are already dealing with a tremendous burden of economic, health and environmental issues. We simply cannot afford to add a tobacco epidemic. We assure you that we will build resistance to your abusive practices in every region of Africa." The 46 nations of Africa led the way toward a strong, enforceable global tobacco treaty. More than 60 countries, including France, India and South Africa, have ratified the treaty. Many additional ratifications are expected in coming months. The US signed the global tobacco treaty, but the Bush Administration has not submitted it to the Senate for ratification. # # # Corporate Accountability International, formerly Infact, is a membership organization that protects people by waging and winning campaigns challenging irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the world. For over 25 years, we've forced corporations--like Nestlé, General Electric and Philip Morris/Altria--to stop abusive actions. Corporate Accountability International, an NGO in Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), played a key role in development of the global tobacco treaty--formally known as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). For more information visit www.stopcorporateabuse.org. Click here to view pictures from our action at the Philip Morris/Altria annual shareholders' meeting
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Related Links: Statement by Corporate Accountability International Executive Director, Kathryn Mulvey at the Philip Morris/Altria Annual Shareholders' Meeting |
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