Philip Morris USA asks ‘Please don’t give your cigarette brands a part in your movie’
Philip Morris issued a press release asking the entertainment industry to voluntarily eliminate the use of its products from their productions. They developed a new trade print advertising campaign designed to raise awareness of the company’s position against the use of its brand imagery in movies and television shows. To read the Philip Morris press release, click here.

US Smokeless Tobacco Co.
US Smokeless Tobacco Co. will launch a new citrus blend flavored product in its Skoal line of smokeless tobacco. The product will be available in both Long Cut and Pouches beginning March 12, 2007. To learn more about the product, click here.

Big tobacco downplays smoking-cancer link when sued
New research by the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention reveals that when faced with lawsuits, cigarette makers deny or minimize the link between smoking and lung cancer. The study reviewed 34 personal injury claims against major tobacco manufacturers in the U.S. between 1986 and 2003. Arguments by tobacco companies included: a lack of proof that smoking causes cancer, denials that the plaintiff had lung cancer, or a claim that a plaintiff had a type of lung cancer not caused by smoking. Overall, the study concluded, “The cigarette companies, seem to be saying: ‘Yes, smoking causes lung cancer, but not in the people who sue us.’” Click here to read more.

Philip Morris USA raises lifts cigarette prices
Philip Morris USA announced that it is raising prices on all its cigarette brands by 10 cents per pack as of Dec. 18, a move that had been expected by analysts. The price increase was accomplished by lowering promotional discounts the company offers on its Marlboro, Virginia Slims, Parliament and Basic brands, while raising list prices on other brands, a spokesman for the unit of Altria Group Inc. said.  The move could raise the average price a smoker pays for a pack of top-selling Marlboro cigarettes at a convenience store to $4.04 from $3.94, for example. Six cents of the increase will be needed to cover increased payments by Philip Morris to U.S. states under the Master Settlement Agreement.  Click here to read more.

Philip Morris planning a new Marlboro option
Philip Morris USA plans to introduce a new menthol cigarette aimed at grabbing market share in the growing category. The company plans to start selling Marlboro Smooth in March, spokesman Bill Phelps said. It will be available nationwide. An analyst for Citigroup said the new Marlboro is being positioned to compete with the nation's best-selling menthol cigarette, Newport, which is made by Lorillard Tobacco Co. For more information, click here.

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