Activists From Across Globe Confront Philip Morris/Altria Executives - Corporate Accountability International - Challenging Abuse, Protecting People - Think Outside the Bottle


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Activists From Across Globe Confront Philip Morris/Altria Executives

For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2007

Contact:
Patti Lynn (617) 695-2525

East Hanover, NJ—As Philip Morris/Altria executives try to paint a picture of a rosy future at the corporation’s annual shareholders’ meeting, the worldwide challenge to the corporation’s abuses continues to build. The global tobacco treaty, which bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, has now been ratified by 146 countries. Health advocates are cataloguing examples of the tobacco giant’s interference with implementation of the treaty and are challenging the corporation directly today.

Today’s annual meeting takes place against the backdrop of the Kraft spin-off, which has been described as a bittersweet victory for public health.

“The completion of the Kraft spin-off this spring signals the end of an era for Philip Morris/Altria,” says Corporate Accountability International Executive Director Kathryn Mulvey. “We have come a long way since the days when Philip Morris used Kraft’s Oscar Mayer employees to lobby the federal government against tobacco regulations.”

Health and corporate accountability advocates are raising concern that the next steps of the break-up of the corporation will demand even greater vigilance from governments and people around the world. More than 150 public health and corporate accountability organizations in 70 countries have endorsed a call on governments to adopt comprehensive tobacco control measures to ensure that the separation of Philip Morris International and Philip Morris USA does not worsen the tobacco epidemic.

“We are all too aware that the Kraft spin-off and presumed separation of Philip Morris International from Philip Morris USA, could pave the way for Philip Morris International to pursue new markets even more aggressively,” says Mulvey. “We are here today to demonstrate that people around the world are rejecting the tobacco giant’s continued disregard for people’s lives and the rule of international law.”

Philip Morris/Altria claims to support the global tobacco treaty, but opposes some of its central provisions—such as the advertising ban. The United States, Colombia and Indonesia are among a shrinking minority of countries not protected by the global tobacco treaty. The Bush Administration signed the treaty in 2004, but has not submitted it to the Senate to be considered for ratification.

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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. For more information visit www.stopcorporateabuse.org.