News on Altria Group Inc.

FDA restricts tobacco marketing to youth

2010-03-18T16:15:24Z

<div><p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. health officials on Thursday sought to clamp down on the marketing of cigarettes to children and teenagers, issuing national limits on merchandise sales, event sponsorships and other promotions after a failed attempt more than a decade ago.</p><p>Under the University of Virginia president John Casteen named to Altria's board of directors</div><div><p>Cigarette maker Altria Group says outgoing University of Virginia president John T. Casteen III has been elected to the company's board of directors.</...

Both sides take tobacco fight to Supreme Court

2010-02-19T14:45:23Z

<div><p>The Obama administration asked the Supreme Court Friday to allow the government to seek nearly $300 billion from the tobacco industry for a half-century of deception that "has cost the lives and damaged the health of untold millions of Americans."</p><p>Both sides in a landmark, decade-long legal fight over smoking took their case to the high...

U.S., Altria appeal tobacco ruling to top court

2010-02-22T08:14:40Z

&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The government and the nation's biggest cigarette maker separately asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to review a racketeering verdict against major cigarette makers that was upheld by an appeals court last year.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Reuters) - The Obama administration asked the Supreme Court on Friday to consider allowing the federal government to force tobacco companies to fund smoking cessation and public education programs, which could cost the industry billions of dollar...

Altria plans to expand Marlboro Snus nationwide

2010-02-22T08:48:25Z

<div id="subtitle">Cigarette maker Altria Group to expand Marlboro Snus smokeless tobacco nationwide</div><div><p>Cigarette maker Altria Group Inc. said Thursday that it plans to expand its Marlboro Snus smokeless tobacco nationwide by the end of March as it looks to shore up its business as Americans smoke fewer cigarettes.</p><p>The Philip Morris International Inc. said Thursday that raising its prices and selling more cigarettes in emerging markets combined with the benefits of a weaker dollar to boost its fourth-quarter profit by 5 percent.</p><p>The seller of Lorillard Inc., the nation's third-largest cigarette maker, saw less of a decline in cigarettes sold in the fourth quarter than its competitors. One of its value brands posted big gains and its Newport menthol brand s...

Earnings Preview: Reynolds American Inc.

2010-02-22T12:39:54Z

<div id="subtitle">Reynolds American reports 4th-qtr earnings Thursday</div><div><p>Reynolds American Inc. reports its fourth-quarter and full-year results on Thursday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.</p><p>OVERVIEW: The nation's second-biggest cigarette company, Reynolds sells Cam...

Altria 4Q profit rises on higher prices, cost-cuts

2010-02-22T13:54:49Z

<div id="subtitle">Altria Group 4th-qtr profit climbs due to higher prices, cost-cutting, strength of smokeless</div><div><p>Marlboro maker Altria Group Inc. said raising prices on cigarettes and cigars and cutting costs more than $150 million helped its fourth-quarter profit climb 7 percent, even as it sold fewer cigarettes and cigars than a year earlier.</p>&a...

Comparing 2009 with 2008 for Marlboro maker

2010-02-22T13:46:26Z

<div id="subtitle">Comparing 2009 results with 2008 for Altria Group, maker of Marlboros</div><div><p>Here's how 2009 stacked up against 2008 for Altria Group Inc., owner of Philip Morris USA, which makes cigars, smokeless tobacco products and cigarettes, including best-selling Marlboros.</p><p>TOTAL REVENUE UP 21.7 percent: $23.56 billion in 2009,...

On the Call: Altria Group CEO Michael Szymanczyk

2010-02-22T13:52:04Z

<div id="subtitle">Altria Group Inc. chief executive discusses FDA's authority over tobacco industry</div><div><p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which gained the authority to regulate tobacco in June, could limit nicotine in tobacco products, ban candy flavorings and block labels s...

Earns Altria Group

2010-01-28T08:16:20Z

In this photo made Dec. 8, 2009, Marlboro cigarettes are seen on display at Costco in Mountain View, Calif. Altria Group said Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, that its fourth-quarter profit climbed 7...

Earnings Preview: Altria Group Inc.

2010-02-22T14:39:14Z

<div id="subtitle">Altria first in tobacco industry to report on 4Q; analysts eye cigarette volumes, market share</div><div><p>Altria Group Inc. reports its fourth-quarter results on Thursday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.</p><p>OVERVIEW: The Food and Drug Administration is working to lift the smokescreen clouding the ingredients used in cigarettes and other tobacco products.</p><p>In June, tobacco companies must tell the FDA their formu...

Judge says color, graphics OK in tobacco ads

2010-02-23T01:01:41Z

<div id="subtitle">Federal judge strikes down rules in new tobacco law barring color and graphics in ads</div><div><p>A judge has overturned two of the marketing restrictions in the new federal tobacco law, including a ban on color and graphics in most tobacco advertising.</p><p>Several tobacco makers sued in August to block the restrictions, and U.S. Dist...

Altria Group declares 34-cent quarterly dividend

2010-02-23T15:12:48Z

<div id="subtitle">Altria Group declares regular quarterly dividend of 34 cents</div><div><p>Altria Group Inc., which sells Marlboro cigarettes and Black &amp; Mild cigars, said Wednesday its board declared a regular quarterly dividend of 34 cents.</p><p>The dividend is p...

Altria spent nearly $2.7M lobbying gov't in 3Q

2010-02-23T22:05:16Z

<div id="subtitle">Altria spent nearly $2.7 million in 3rd quarter lobbying on health care, cigarette trafficking</div><div><p>Altria Client Services Inc., on behalf of the nation's biggest cigarette maker, spent nearly $2.7 million in the third quarter to lobby the federal government on legislation invol...

Ex-smoker's lawyers to discuss $300M Fla. verdict

2010-02-24T03:04:55Z

<div id="subtitle">Lawyers for former smoker to discuss $300 million verdict against Philip Morris</div><div><p>A former smoker who just won a $300 million verdict in Florida against Philip Morris USA has pulled out of a news conference...

Former smoker to discuss $300 million Fla. verdict

2010-02-24T02:49:52Z

<div id="subtitle">Former smoker, 61, to speak out after winning $300 million Fla. verdict against Philip Morris</div><div><p>A former smoker in Fort Lauderdale is speaking out about her $300 million verdict against Philip Morris.</p...