ASH Australia media release                                        April 27, 2006

Philip Morris faces world protest on eve of split

Altria breakup raises global outrage at tobacco harm and deceit  

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A global coalition of health groups, including ASH Australia, is seeking a commitment from the world’s largest tobacco group to “Give the World a Break” as it prepares to break from its parent company.

Demands are growing for Philip Morris to take genuine steps to slow the tobacco epidemic - now claiming five million lives a year and expected to kill ten million a year by 2030.

In a statement signed by over 100 organizations from 40 countries, the coalition is making its demand in advance of a breakup of Altria – one of the world’s largest entities - that would split Philip Morris International, Philip Morris USA and Kraft into three separate companies.

Whilst the shareholders will benefit from the split in monetary terms, the coalition is warning that the human cost is out of control and the hardest hit will be poorer, developing countries where the loss of life will have a devastating impact.

In events organized worldwide in conjunction with Altria's 2006 shareholders meeting on April 27 in East Hanover, NJ, USA, groups are demanding that the company that describes itself as “socially responsible” should give the world a break by:

• supporting the international treaty – the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control – to curb the tobacco epidemic worldwide;

• ending all forms of misleading and deceptive conduct (eg smuggling, light and mild descripters);

• not invoking any trade agreement to challenge tobacco control-related laws or measures;

• ending direct and indirect promotion and tobacco placement in movies or other media; and

• fully disclosing all political contributions, lobbying expenses, charitable/educational donations in all countries in which they operate.

“We are urging Philip Morris and its subsidiaries to make major changes to the way they do business – not only in Australia but in developing countries where laws to protect health and prevent exploitation are not yet in place, ” says Anne Jones of ASH Australia.

In Australia, smoking is still the single, largest preventable cause of death and disability – despite government commitment that has resulted in smoking prevalence declining to around 20% of the population.

For a full list of health groups and details of the commitment they are seeking, go to
www.philipmorrisbreakup.org

Comment (Australia):     
Anne Jones, CEO ASH Australia    ph. (02) 9334-1876;    m. 0417-227-879

Comment International):   
Anna White, Essential Action (USA)   m. 1-202-387-8030/202-413-9656

Media info:   Stafford Sanders, ASH Australia   ph. (02) 9334-1823;  m. 0412-070-194

Page last updated 27/4/06