PMI - launches website - opinion on total ban on the display of tobaco products.

October 12, 2009 - Back on October 5th we reported that Philip Morris International (PMI) is launching a website,
www.productdisplayban.com in order to provide factual information on the prohibition of the display of tobacco products at point of sale and describe its effects on public health, adult smokers, retailers, tobacco manufacturers and enforcement agencies. (Ireland - Philip Morris and retailer to file lawsuit to challenge tobacco display ban..) At this time we were unable to gain access to this website.

Now in a press released dated October 7th entitled Philip Morris International launches new website: www.productdisplayban.com.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2009-- Philip Morris International (PMI) (NYSE:PM)(Paris:PM) announces the launch of www.productdisplayban.com The website has been created to provide facts about the implications of a total ban on the display of tobacco products in retail stores.

“A number of countries are investigating a ban on display of tobacco products in retail stores. There is limited information in the public domain that describes experiences from countries that have banned display and so we felt that it would be useful to create a website that provides information on the effectiveness of the ban, as well as to describe its impact on adult smokers, retailers, tobacco manufacturers and enforcement agencies,” said Morgan Rees, Director of Regulatory Communications for PMI.

Philip Morris supports effective regulation but opposes a total ban on the display of tobacco products in stores.

Reference: Philip Morris International launches new website..., PMI, 10/7/2009.