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Philip Morris World Tour

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WHITE: Good morning, Mr.Camilleri. My name is Anna White. I'm the Coordinator of Essential Action's Global Partnerships for Tobacco Control Program. I'm here today with Dina Kania of Indonesia, and over 100 youth from 15 different states around the US here inside the meeting and outside.

Last year, more than 100 public health groups around the world called on Altria and Philip Morris to adopt steps to prevent the break-up of Philip Morris from worsening the global tobacco epidemic. The company refused to agree to these demands. This year, public health advocates are calling on governments to effectively quarantine Altria/Philip Morris, the world's largest multi-national tobacco company by passing legislation to stop the spread of the global tobacco pandemic.

Our concern is that the proposed break-up of Philip Morris poses the risk that Philip Morris International will become even more effective at spreading its toxic products and independent Philip Morris International, which is likely to be based in Switzerland, will no longer feel constrained
by public opinion or the possibility of domestic regulation or litigation in its home country and most important market, United States.

That company says it supports comprehensive tobacco control legislation in the US and overseas, but its' actions such as in Indonesia and elsewhere, make clear its true commitments. And you ask for evidence. And if any of you -- if anybody wants to see evidence, go to www.philipmorrisbreakup.org/worldtour.

Earlier this year, Judge Gladys Kessler ruled that PMI should be prohibited from using misleading terms like light, mild and low. Did the new, "new" Philip Morris acknowledge how it used these terms to deceive smokers and agree to abide by the ruling? No. It is challenging the judge's order. This company must be stopped from spreading its poison, especially in the developing world, where it hopes to expand its deadly business.

And I don't really have a question, because I've been here long enough -- enough of this meetings to know that this company's actions after the meetings speak much louder than your words during it. Thank you, very much.

CAMILLERI: Thank you. I think that I've addressed a lot of what you've said. If you looked at what you've said, intellectually, it doesn't make any sense. We've tried to have a dialog with you. Even Hurwitz, who is Head of Corporate Affairs at Philip Morris International has written to you twice, has asked to meet with you. And so far, you haven't really responded in terms of being able to meet.

I think also, you should get your facts right before you start trying to alarm the world. And I think your comment is a major insult to Switzerland.