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KRAFT'S IMPENDING SPLIT FROM PHILIP MORRIS/ALTRIA IS A BITTERSWEET VICTORY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH Statement by Kathryn Mulvey, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability International For Immediate Release: Contact: BOSTON --"Today Philip Morris/Altria announced that its long-anticipated breakup with Kraft Foods will take place on March 30. The move is a bittersweet victory for public health. On the one hand, the spin-off dramatically reduces the financial and political clout of the world's largest tobacco corporation. On the other hand, it paves the way for Philip Morris to pursue new markets even more aggressively. "For more than a decade, Kraft has provided cover for Philip Morris' behind-the-scenes political maneuvering designed to weaken public health regulations. Since acquiring Kraft in 1988, Philip Morris/Altria has been broadly criticized for disguising political contributions as 'macaroni-and-cheese' money. Philip Morris even used Kraft's Oscar Mayer employees to lobby the federal government against tobacco regulations. "But in the end, Kraft's ties to Philip Morris/Altria proved to be too great a liability for the junk food giant. Altria itself acknowledged that the spin-off would improve Kraft's ability to recruit and retain management--a difficult task in the past because of its tobacco ties. And as Kraft bears more scrutiny for its unhealthy food products, Philip Morris avoids having to wage two public health wars. "Fortunately, as the world's largest and most notorious tobacco corporation zeros in on developing countries to expand its markets, more and more countries are demanding accountability from the tobacco industry. 143 countries have ratified the global tobacco treaty and will soon implement a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress is considering instituting FDA regulation of cigarettes. And more than half of Americans live in states with limits on indoor smoking. "This is the end of an era for Big Tobacco and a victory for public health. But advocates know the fight is not over. Philip Morris/Altria continues trying to subvert tobacco controls in the U.S. and abroad. As Wall Street applauds this split and pours money into tobacco stock, it's critical that public health advocates and policymakers remain vigilant." # # # 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 30 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 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
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