[Intl-tobacco] Philip Morris Shareholder Meeting Protest

[Robert Weissman]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April 28, 2005
Contact: Anna White: 202-413-9656


Youth Mark 50th Anniversary of Marlboro &
Philip Morris=92s Global Expansion with
Demonstration at Altria Shareholders Meeting

Advocates from India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and 100+ Youth
Wish Marlboro/Philip Morris =93Happy 50th Deathday=94

East Hanover, NJ- April 28, 2005 - Over 100 youth and adults from India,
Indonesia, Nigeria, Thailand, California, Hawaii, New York, and
Wisconsin will demonstrate outside the 2005 Altria Shareholders Meeting
to denounce Philip Morris=92s global expansion.

This year, Altria Group, parent company of Philip Morris USA and Philip
Morris International (the world=92s largest multinational tobacco
company), is celebrating Marlboro=92s 50th anniversary. 2005 is also the
50th anniversary of the company=92s overseas expansion. Tobacco now kills
5 million people worldwide annually, a number projected to double by
2025. Marlboro, the cigarette sold most around the world, bears
responsibility for many of these deaths.

Youth will mark these macabre anniversaries outside the Altria
shareholders meeting with a =93Happy 50th Deathday=94 cake, black balloons,
a 15-foot-high Marlboro pack labeled =9350 Years of Death=94 and photos of
the company=92s tobacco promotions around the world to which youth are
exposed. Nearly 30 youth and adults are also going inside the meeting to
hold the company accountable for targeting their generation.

Isha Gupta, 16, of India says, =93Nearly one fourth of the youth in India
consume tobacco in some form or another. To get around a new Indian
tobacco advertising ban, the tobacco industry is increasing product
placement in Indian movies. Marlboro product placement in several recent
Bollywood movies is rampant.=94

=93By taking over Indonesia=92s biggest kretek company,=94 says Dr. Tjandra
Yoga Aditama, of the Indonesian Smoking Control Foundation, =93Philip
Morris will worsen an already serious public health situation. The
health of Indonesians must not be sacrificed for Philip Morris=92 profits.
Indonesians call on the company to end all tobacco marketing and
advertising in our country.=94

Tosin Orogun, of Journalists Action on Tobacco and Health, Nigeria,
says, =93Philip Morris recently started marketing Marlboro cigarettes in
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, with over 40% of the
population under age 15. Many Nigerian youth, who admire everything
America, will become addicted as a result.=94

Youth and adults from the aforementioned states and countries will be
available to talk to media during the demonstration and at a press
conference following the meeting at 11:30am (188 River Road).


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