Philip Morris USA
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Philip Morris USA is the United States tobacco division of Altria Group, Inc.
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[edit] General information
On January 27, 2003, Philip Morris Companies Inc. changed its name to Altria Group, Inc. Even under this new name, Altria continues to own 100% of Philip Morris USA. Some view this name change as an effort by Altria to deemphasize its historical association with tobacco products.
In the fall of 2003, Philip Morris USA (abbreviated PM USA) moved its headquarters to Richmond, Virginia from New York City.
Philip Morris USA Inc. home offices and facilities include headquarters, manufacturing, processing and support facilities in the Richmond, Virginia area; a manufacturing facility in Cabarrus County, North Carolina; a materials conversion plant in Louisville, Kentucky; sales offices crisscrossing the U.S.; and an office in The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Philip Morris USA brands include Marlboro, Virginia Slims, Benson & Hedges, Merit, Parliament, Alpine, Basic, Cambridge, Bristol, Bucks, Chesterfield, Collector's Choice, Commander, English Ovals, Lark, L&M, Players and Saratoga.
[edit] Corporate Position on Health Hazards
Philip Morris USA often runs commercials on television networks which urge viewers of the hazards of smoking. The company also offers many free resources online and via hotlines to assist smokers in their cessation efforts and educate the general public about the negative effects of smoking. Philip Morris has stated that they would like to stamp out smoking by 2010, yet they continue to sell their product;however, Philip Morris' purchase of the Kraft company could indicate that they are attempting to change the direction of the company. Philip Morris has a wide set of positions on many tobacco-related issues, including the following: [1]
- The prevention of youth smoking through:
- Communications and resources to parents and adults helping them to discourage youth from smoking
- Grants supporting youth smoking prevention and cessation
- Access prevention programs to keep youth from getting cigarettes
- Research to help Philip Morris understand developments in smoking prevention and increase effectiveness in the stated prevention goals
- Community involvement through corporate contributions to non-profit organizations and volunteering efforts
- Reduction of litter (Philip Morris freely acknowledges that cigarettes are among the most common form of litter found in the environment)
- Public legislation and regulations that place reasonable restrictions on tobacco products in an effort to prevent youth smoking and dissemenate information about the health risks of smoking while still allowing adults to make their own choices about smoking
- Smoking restrictions in public places that are conducive to the same effects as those hoped for in legislative and regulatory efforts (as stated above)
- Education of consumers on the frequent illegality of internet sales of cigarettes and prevention of the marketing of Philip Morris products to sites that evade state and federal laws
- Prevention of contraband cigarettes (given that many don't meet Philip Morris' quality standards or federal regulations for labeling and disclosure of ingredients)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Altria Group, Inc. Our Initiatives & Programs PhilipMorrisUSA.com. URL accessed on 28 November 2006.
- Altria Group, Inc. Policies, Practices & Positions PhilipMorrisUSA.com. URL accessed on 6 January 2006.
