Washington, DC – Attorney General Robert J. Spagnoletti announced today that Philip Morris USA (“PM USA”) has agreed to incorporate protocols aimed at combating the illegal sale of PM USA cigarettes over the Internet and through the mail.  The protocols are being adopted voluntarily by PM USA pursuant to an agreement reached today that Philip Morris USA (“PM USA”) has agreed to incorporate protocols aimed at combating the illegal sale of PM USA cigarettes over the Internet and through the mail.  The protocols are being adopted voluntarily by PM USA pursuant to an agreement reached with 37 Attorneys General across the country.

The protocols provide for the:  (a) termination of shipments of cigarettes to any of PM USA’s direct customers that the Attorneys General have found to be engaging in illegal Internet and mail order sales; (b) reduction in the amount of product made available to direct customers found by the Attorneys General to be engaged in the illegal re-sale of PM USA cigarettes to the Internet vendors; and (c) suspension from the company’s incentive programs any retailer found by the Attorneys General to be engaging in such illegal sales.