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Protesters target cigarette-maker Altria's 'lies' By:
LINDA A. JOHNSON, AP Writer Inside the meeting, a couple dozen older tobacco opponents criticized the marketing practices of Phillip Morris, a unit of Altria. Those opponents, allowed into the meeting because they are Altria stockholders, urged the company to be more truthful about the harmful effects of smoking. 'We want to expose the lies of the tobacco companies, the lies that tobacco is not addictive and that tobacco is not harmful to the American public,' said Eileen Fitzmaurice, 35, of Woodbridge. She was among several people from a New Jersey health department sponsored organization called Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies, or REBEL. Five shareholder proposals, including ones calling for more graphic, stronger warnings on cigarette packs and efforts to warn pregnant women of smoking's dangers to a fetus, were defeated by at least 90 percent of votes cast, according to preliminary totals. The other proposals called for ending promotions of light brands as safer, for reporting publicly on health risks of carcinogen-laced cigarette filters, and for prompt and detailed disclosure of Altria's political contributions. 'We're not saying we're perfect, but I think we've made huge steps and will continue to do so,' responded Louis C. Camilleri, Altria's chairman and chief executive officer. Phillip Morris USA, based in Richmond, Va., dominates the tobacco market worldwide, with about 20 brands including Marlboro and Parliament. Some protesters outside the meeting were dressed in red-and-white cigarette packs bearing the words, 'Licensed to Kill,' instead of the Marlboro logo. 'Tobacco's whacked! Take it back,' chanted the protesters, mainly teens and people in their 20s. The protesters came from several U.S. states, including Hawaii, and from foreign countries including Thailand, Ukraine and Senegal. The meeting was held at the Kraft Foods research and development center. Kraft is one of Altria's divisions. Source: Associated Press |