Philip Morris has launched a web site and $100 million advertising campaign, presumably to improve their image.  More information on this is given in an October 13, 1999 Associated Press story by business reporter Skip Wollenberg.   Some of their television campaign includes footage from PM films apparently shown at PM shareholder meetings, portraying the company as caring about the community.

Part of the campaign embraces the idea that cigarettes may be addictive, and may cause serious illness. Dr. David Kessler, now dean of Yale Medical School, but formerly the head of the Food and Drug Administration,  is quoted from his appearance on ABC's  Good Morning America:

"It may just be a PR effort.  But it has important consequences.  They are saying nicotine is an addictive product. Now they should agree to FDA regulation. ... What other addictive substance is not regulated by the FDA?"

Another motive for the web site has emerged.  In an October 15, 1999 article in Florida's Naples Daily News, Associated Press writer Rachel La Corte reported that in the first class action trial brought on behalf of smokers, Stanley Rosenblatt, attorney for the smokers, said the tobacco company is trying to influence jurors, and has broken the gag order imposed by the judge.

{Philip Morris lead attorney Dan] Webb said he expected the smokers' attorney Stanley Rosenblatt "to be applauding Philip Morris."

Rosenblatt angrily disagreed in court as he asked Circuit Judge Robert Kaye to rule the cigarette maker violated the gag order. "When a company admits they make a product which is addictive and kills people and then goes out with the objective to sell as much of this product as they possibly can, that's hardly reason to applaud," Rosenblatt said.  "It's a reason for shame. You don't deserve any applause."

Philip Morris' declarations follow years in which the company fiercely argued with government and medical authorities about the risks of smoking.  The same arguments were used by the industry in the opening phase of the first class-action case by smokers to make it to trial.  Seeking equal Internet time, Rosenblatt said, "If they're permitted to have a Web site, then the (smokers') class wants a Web site. This cannot be a one-way street."

Kaye noted he had advised jurors to avoid news coverage and felt that covered the Internet as well. In July, jurors found the nation's five largest cigarette makers and industry groups had produced a defective and deadly product.  The same jury is to determine whether damages are appropriate for individual smokers. The second phase is to begin Nov. 1.

The 3rd District Court of Appeal will hear oral arguments Wednesday on the procedure for settling damage claims for up to 500,000 sick Florida smokers.

• the actual harm they have caused their consumers
• the actual harm PM has caused those suffering from environmental tobacco smoke, secondhand smoke
• the actual harm PM has caused those who have lost loved ones and/or property through cigarette caused fires.

Please see Excuses, Excuses, Excuses.