[Intl-tobacco] Release: Philip Morris -> Altria: What the World is Saying!

[Robert Weissman]

Below is a compilation of statements from tobacco control groups around
the world, re: Philip Morris' name change. Target Market held a contest
on the theme -- which is why teens involved from the organization are so
well represented here.

For more information, contact Anna White or Robert Weissman at 202-387-8030



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PHILIP MORRIS -> ALTRIA: WHAT THE WORLD IS SAYING!
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INDIA
“Philip Morris’ change of name will never be able to hide its misdeeds
committed throughout the world, especially in the developing countries.
The consumers will keep monitoring their anti-consumer activities for
spreading misleading information and spreading health hazards on poor
and helpless consumers. The shareholders should be warned that the
consumer organizations will not spare any effort to claim compensation
for all such damages caused due to sale of tobacco products.”
-- Bejon Misra
Regional Coordinator, Asia & Middle East, Network for Accountability of
Tobacco Transnationals
Advisor, Consumer VOICE, New Delhi. INDIA.

NIGERIA
"Does a change of name obviate criminal/civil liability?! Does a change
of name bring back to life hundreds of thousands of people maimed or
killed in one hundred years of corporate social irresponsibility?!!
Philip Morris, Altria, Death Angle or Whatsoever, you still remain a
loathed agent of disease and death!!!"
-- Eze Eluchie, Esq.
People Against Drug Dependence and Ignorance

RUSSIA
“With regards to Philip Morris changing its name: It is a quite
primitive way to enhance the company’s image, as a way of promoting its
products to the population. The majority of people around the world
connect the old name with health hazards and lies. But of course nothing
will change except letters in name.”
-- Vladimir Levshin, MD
Russian Cancer Research Center, Moscow

UKRAINE
“Phillip Morris (Altria):
As you know, your name is linked in this world with cigarette smoking
cowboys and the American cool.  The name Altria doesn't change this
image.   In Ukraine, as more and more people die from cancer, the
"coolness" of the American smoking cowboy doesn't change.  Do you really
want to be associated with all of these deaths of people trying to be
just like the Marlboro Man?”
-- Kelly French
Peace Corps Volunteer, Kobelyaky, Ukraine

URUGUAY
“We denounce Philip Morris attempt to clean its name – a name stained
with the blood and tears of its victims and their relatives – with a
name change.  A new name does nothing to diminish the load of
immorality, corruption, perversion and lies upon which the company has
constructed its global economic empire.”
--Eduardo Bianco ,MD.
   Adriana Menéndez ,MD .
Comisión de Tabaquismo , Sindicato Médico del Uruguay.

VIETNAM
“For the last 100 years, Philip Morris has killed how many people in
America and in the world. This exploit does not satisfy the company of
Death. The new name Altria is merely the new name of Death. Philip
Morris or Altria, whatever the name, whoever the Chief Executive
Officer, they are the same.”
-- Do Gia Phan
Vice President, VINASTAS

UNITED STATES (in order by state)

“The name of Philip"Altria" Morris will live on in infamy with those of
other agents of mass murder -- none of which comes close to Altria's
body count.”
-- Stephen Hansen
California Medical Association

“The name change from Philip Morris to Altria may try to introduce a new
image, but they cannot erase the harm they have caused over the past
years - especially in our urban communities. It's like covering up a
foul smell with perfume.  It smells good for the moment, but the foul
smell always resurface, just like the foul practices that Philip Morris
has practiced over the years.”
-- Robert-Thomas Duclersaint
Roxbury Comprehensive Community Health Center
Massachusetts

“Phillips Morris changing its name to a softer sounding name as "ALTRIA"
doesn't change the fact that it carries prime responsible for Big
Tobacco’s global massacre.  Just as "A Leopard cannot change its spots,"
Phillip Morris cannot change its murderous trends and "shots.”  What
deception!!! Truth will eventually win!!”
-- Wilhelmina Holder, MD. MS
Breaking Free, Inc.
Minnesota

“What's in a name? Philip Morris is banking on the name Altria to clean
up their image. Somehow the truth always has a way of coming through,
even in the biggest lies. Look carefully at ALTRIA and you will see
LIAR, TAR, RAT (as in rat poisoning), AIL(ment), and TRIAL.”
-- Diane Moore
Reality Check, Putnam County
New York

“My opinion on Philip Morris changing its name to Altria is that it
won’t do them as much good as they are hoping. People will still know
that they are and who they started out as, and we will do our best as
Target Market to stop them from getting away with cleaning the slate.”
-- Claire Berhow
Target Market
Minnesota

“Philip Morris is trying to make its image BETTER by changing their
name. The company wants to pretend that they are good people, when they
go around killing people each day. The word altria means to “reach
higher” [in Latin]. Does that mean reach higher in killing more people
around the world?
  I have learned in all my business classes once you have your name out
and your name decided on you should not change it. The name change will
confuse many people, and that just what Phillip Morris wants us to do.
The company wants the world to forget about what it has done to young
people and how many people it has killed.”
-- Nerissa Wilker
Target Market
Minnesota

“Philip Morris has created a company giant over the years saying that
they have done wonderful things for the world including: feeding the
hungry and providing youth smoking prevention programs.  They have
designed these programs to give themselves a better image and to cover
up for all of the lies and horrible things that they are responsible
for.  By changing the name they are just making another attempt to hide
their horrible history and to increase profit.”
-- Hannah Severtson
Target Market
Minnesota

“I think that Philip Morris changed their name because we are doing too
good of a job. They know that we exist and that Truth exists. They
aren't stupid, they know that if we get enough people aware, people will
turn against them. They think that if they change their name people
won't get their minds changed. Philip Morris doesn't realize how wrong
they are.”
-- Erica Hoffmann
Target Market
Minnesota

“So April 25th is the big day.  Personally, I view Philip Morris's
name-change to Altria as a cry for help.  By word-of-mouth, Philip
Morris has become synonymous with the words brainwasher, liar, cheater,
and a lot of other words I probably shouldn't mention.  So why would a
name-change solve the problem?  By now it should be obvious that no
matter what the name is, people talk.  Pretty soon people all over the
world will be talking about Altria, a.k.a. Philip Morris.  Not only does
Philip Morris go along with all those other words, but it won't be long
until Philip Morris and Altria are seen as the same thing.  We just need
to get the word out - people listen.  Just because the new name comes
with a clean slate doesn't mean it will stay that way.  Until the
motives change, a new name or a new CEO aren't going to change a thing!”

-- Allyson Rempel
Target Market
Minnesota

“I think the name change is a pathetic attempt to disassociate the
cigarette name with the food companies.”
-- Sean Carstensen
Target Market
Minnesota

“Philip Morris: Hi, it’s us, Target Market teens, you know enemy #1,
just wanted to get
reacquainted with you, because our relationship won't change with your
name.  This
fresh name “Altria” won't distract us from the truth. We'll still be in
your face about your tricks, and we, your treasured customers, won't
forget how you target us and why we target you.”
-- Saydi Chalha
Target Market
Minnesota

“I think that Philip Morris' changing its name to Altria makes the
tobacco executives feel like maybe they'll be able to start over... with
a death count of 0. Well... they're wrong!”
-- Emily Haine
Target Market
Minnesota

“Philip Morris has stated that the name comes from a Latin word meaning
"high." But shockingly the word "alt" in German means "old." And in
German, the word "trias" means triad.
It appears that in every way, Philip Morris will be following its "old"
ways, knowingly manufacturing products, which addict and kill when used
as directed. Arguing with Canadian courts, and in a recent report to the
Czech government, that Philip Morris is a help to governments, by
eliminating many of the "old" people. Still using "old" policy to lobby
with legislators, and community good will, with money, money, money.
This is a company that has as its motto: "I came, I saw, I conquered,”
labeled on their Marlboro Red cigarette packs. This is a company that
appears unwilling to let anything keep it from that "mission." A
chilling thought.”
-- Nate Glynn
Target Market
Minnesota

“Mr. Bible from Philip Morris stated that the name change is to show
"the corporation's desire for its family of companies to always 'reach
higher' in striving to achieve greater financial strength and growth
through operational existence, consumer brand expertise and a growing
understanding of corporate responsibility."  I think that this quote
really shows what Philip Morris has in mind first because the first
thing that they say is the desire for financial strength.  Philip Morris
can do whatever it wants to try and appear like a good, respectable
company, but until they change their ways and start taking
responsibility for their misdeeds, they will always be a "wolf in lamb's
clothing."  I think the public will see them as such, because we aren't
as stupid as they think we are.”
Full text: http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/qofm/0204/pettey.html
-- Amber Pettey
Target Market
Minnesota

“A name can be deceiving, but WE their Target will always be able to
pick the people trying to kill us.  We will expose Philip Morris’ new
name. It is a great marketing technique by Philip Morris to escape its
crappy name, but it makes the company look even more in-human.”
-- Pat Oldakowski
Target Market
Minnesota

“Philip Morris: you can’t hide behind another moniker and expect people
to view your company as something it’s not.  Your company has spent more
money advertising the money it spends on charity than actually spending
money on the charities themselves, and that still hasn’t helped your
image.”
-- Nicolas Buron
Target Market
Minnesota

“To change your old “Phillip Morris” name to “Altria” is a good thought,
I mean, a new name means a whole new start right? WRONG!  Changing your
name to Altria will not wash your hands clean.  Target market knows your
plans, and we will make sure that the word gets out that you’re the same
guys with the same intentions.”
-- Kristina Rapatt
Target Market
Minnesota

“Philip Morris is trying to start a new life, to overcome a bad
reputation.  They can't hide what they did though, and people will
remember.  Altria, a.k.a. Phillip Morris, is just as likely to be sued,
whatever its name.  "A rose by any other name would smell just as
sweet,"- William Shakespeare.  A tobacco company by any other name still
stinks.
-- Courtney Walters
Target Market
Minnesota

“Philip Morris is now a name synonymous with death, disease and
deception. Previously confidential information about the actions of the
corporation has come back to haunt the company. The lies and secrecy
have come crashing down on the heads of executives at Philip Morris,
because we are demanding the truth. The citizens of the United States
and world are no longer tolerating the immorality and pure dishonesty of
corporations, especially corporations who set their aim at making toxic
products."
Full text: http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/qofm/0204/moeding.html

-- Rachael Moeding
Target Market
Minnesota

“Cigarette Companies want to be free of retaliation.  They want to be
free from blame. Absolve from all their sin! We all know that Phillip
Morris' intent has always been to make big profit at the expense of
teens lives. Big tobacco has deliberately murdered millions of people in
the United State and worldwide.  They are seeking asylum. What better
than a name change to start all over and continue killing people?  What
better than a name change to keep the billions of dollars in profit that
they have amassed over the last one hundred years? Philip Morris’ name
change does not free my community of death and disease caused by
cigarettes smoking. In the last 100 years, you and the Tobacco companies
have addicted children for profit and changing your name is not going to
change THAT!"
Full text: http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/qofm/0204/nery.html
-- Rafael Nery
Bronx Reality Check Chapter
New York

“The name change is just a cover up.  The name Phillip Morris will
always bring thoughts of tobacco.  Even when advertising Kraft foods, or
anything else that they own, whenever a division of Phillip Morris is
mentioned, cigarettes comes to mind.”
-- Lavelle Howard
State President, Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Oklahoma.
Northwest Oklahoma Tobacco-free, PreventionWorkz Area Prevention
Resource Center.
Oklahoma

“Philip Morris or Altria? Philip Morris, the company that owns Miller,
Kraft Foods, Nabisco and Marlboro Cigarettes, is changing its name to
Altria. This new name comes from the word altus, which is a Latin word
meaning "to reach high or to strive".  It seems that Philip Morris is
trying to confuse the people boycotting its products in protest of
tobacco. Don't be duped. Call them what you will: Philip Morris equals
Altria. It's still a cigarette company.”
-- Kate Strattner
Strive Media Institute
Wisconsin

---------------
Global Partnerships for Tobacco Control
Essential Action
P.O. Box 19405
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: +1 202-387-8030
Fax: +1 202-234-5176
Email: awhite@essential.org
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco