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Statement of Change to Philip Morris by Sherri Racine 2007 Statement by Corporate Accountability International Organizer Sherri Racine At the Philip Morris/Altria Annual Shareholders' Meeting East Hanover, NJ-April 26, 2007 Good morning. My name is Sherri Racine and I am an organizer with Corporate Accountability International. For nearly two decades, Kraft has provided cover for Philip Morris’ behind-the-scenes political maneuvering designed to weaken public health regulations. The Kraft spin-off dramatically reduces the financial and political clout of Philip Morris/Altria. 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. We are, however, all too aware that the Kraft spin-off and presumed separation of Philip Morris USA from Philip Morris International could pave the way for Philip Morris International to pursue new markets even more aggressively. PMI is notorious for trying to undermine the global tobacco treaty in Mexico, Thailand, South Africa and other countries around the world. Perhaps it is no accident that PMI has targeted Colombia and Indonesia as two of its main expansion areas in the two years since the global tobacco treaty has become international law. These two countries are among a dwindling minority that has not yet ratified the treaty. Today we have with us corporate accountability advocates from Colombia and Indonesia who bring with them a clear message that you are not welcome. There is a strong and growing movement for effective and enforceable tobacco control and for continued vigilance in exposing and challenging Philip Morris/Altria’s attempts to undermine these public health policies. This message is echoed around the world. As Philip Morris International zeros in on developing countries to expand its markets, more and more countries are demanding accountability from the tobacco industry. 146 countries have ratified the global tobacco treaty and will soon implement comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Mr Camilleri, my question for you is: What steps will you take to ensure that Philip Morris International heeds the call of people around the world to 1) stop its aggressive expansion into countries that have not ratified the treaty and 2) stop undermining health policy in countries that have?
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