Philip Morris could be criminally liable for its sponsorship of the event .in the Philippines..

August 17, 2008 - Anti-tobacco advocates (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP)) called on the government Friday, 8/15/208, to investigate cigarette maker Philip Morris International (PMI) for allegedly flouting the law banning it from advertising its products.

The health department has backed FCAP, saying PMI could be criminally liable for its sponsorship of the event.

Related news brief: STOP PMI Sponsoring Concert in Philippines...

Reference: Anti-smoking group ask for probe of tobacco company by Kristine L. Alave, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8/15/2008.

A "report card" on tobacco use and control by Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance-Philippines (FCAP) estimates 35,845 Filipinos die every year of smoking-related diseases. Based on this figure, 179,225 Filipino smokers will die in five years or 358,450 people in 10 years.(RP responds slowly to tobacco epidemic; 35,000 die yearly by ANGELO L. GUTIERREZ, abs-cbnNEWS.com, 8/17/2008)