PQ: Tobacco smuggling

David Taylor (North West Leicestershire, Labour): To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2009, Official Report, column 1626W, on Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office, what the estimated cost of legal action taken against those accused of tobacco smuggling offences was in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09.

Vera Baird (Solicitor General, Attorney General's Office; Redcar, Labour): The information is as follows:
(a) In 2007-08 RCPO spent an estimated £2,838,268 to prosecute tobacco smuggling offences.
(b) In 2008-09 RCPO spent an estimated £2,152,722 to prosecute tobacco smuggling offences.

David Taylor (North West Leicestershire, Labour): To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2009, Official Report, column 1626W, on the Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office, how many full-time equivalent staff in the Attorney-General's office were working on the prevention of tobacco smuggling in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09; and what expenditure was incurred in employing such staff in each year.

Vera Baird (Solicitor General, Attorney General's Office; Redcar, Labour): The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) is an independent Government Department. It prosecutes cases in England and Wales investigated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). Its independence as a prosecutor is a key constitutional safeguard.

Its prosecutors work closely with investigators from HMRC and SOCA who are responsible for gathering evidence. Before any prosecution is initiated, its prosecutors will advise them on: the potential prosecution consequences of the investigation routes that might or have been followed; evidential requirements; charges; appropriate disclosure of material to the defence. As soon as criminal proceedings begin, RCPO takes over full responsibility for the conduct of the case. RCPO therefore employs no staff on the prevention of tobacco smuggling which is an inherent part of HMRC's functions.

Source: Hansard Source, 27 May 2009 Column 1051W
Link: http://tiny.cc/LCzQy

US: Teen smokers may have tough time quitting

High school students who smoke cigarettes and try to quit often fail, health officials warn. "Despite their relatively short smoking histories, many adolescents who smoke are nicotine dependent, and such dependence can lead to daily smoking," investigators with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) write in the agency's weekly bulletin on illnesses and deaths.

The new findings come from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, an initiative of the CDC that measures the rate of health risk behaviors among high school students through biennial national, state and local surveys. Among a representative sample of 14,041 U.S. high school students surveyed in 2007, the CDC found that 60.9 percent of students who ever smoked cigarettes daily tried to quit smoking cigarettes; however, among those who tried to quit, only 12.2 percent were successful.

While the rate of success in kicking the habit did not vary by sex or race, age was a factor. More students in 9th grade were successful at quitting (22.9 percent) than in 10th grade (10.7 percent), 11th grade (8.8 percent) and 12th grade (10.0 percent). The higher success rate among 9th grade students compared to older students might be due to lower levels of dependency from smoking fewer cigarettes per day or having smoked for shorter periods, the article notes.

"These data suggest the importance of targeting young smokers with cessation counseling while their likelihood of success in quitting is greatest," the authors point out. "Furthermore," they add, "current best practices recommend that, to prevent youths from starting to smoke, states establish and sustain comprehensive tobacco control programs that increase excise taxes, promote smoke-free air policies, and conduct media campaigns in conjunction with other community-based interventions, such as tobacco-use prevention programs in schools that include school policy and education components."

Source: Reuters UK, 05 May 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/e9O7o

How smoke-free laws improve air quality: A global study of Irish pubs

Abstract

Introduction: The present study examined indoor air quality in a global sample of smoke-free and smoking-permitted Irish pubs. We hypothesized that levels of respirable suspended particles, an important marker of secondhand smoke, would be significantly lower in smoke-free Irish pubs than in pubs that allowed smoking.

Methods: Indoor air quality was assessed in 128 Irish pubs in 15 countries between 21 January 2004 and 10 March 2006. Air quality was evaluated using an aerosol monitor, which measures the level of fine particle (PM2.5) pollution in the air. A standard measurement protocol was used by data collectors across study sites.

Results: Overall, the level of air pollution inside smoke-free Irish pubs was 93% lower than the level found in pubs where smoking was permitted.

Discussion: Levels of indoor air pollution can be massively reduced by enacting and enforcing smoke-free policies.

Source: Connolly, G.N. et al., Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 20 April 2009
Link:  http://tiny.cc/k5yFC

Philippines: Tobacco industry opposes stamp system

The Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) has asked the Department of Finance to reconsider the proposed fused-on stamp system on sin products. The government said it would implement a fused-on stamp system to prevent leakage in the excise tax payments of tobacco and alcohol product manufacturers.

“Paper stamps or stickers are outdated, costly and not very secure technology. We understand that counterfeiters were able to mimic even the most sophisticated paper stamps. The continued use of paper tax stamps may therefore even become counterproductive—providing a misleading message to consumers about the legal status of the product they buy,” Rodolfo Salanga, PTI president, said in a speech before the House Committee on Ways and Means, which is looking into the legality of the project.

Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said the new system would improve the tracking of duties and taxes due the government. Switzerland-based Sicpa Product Security S.A. (Sicpa) proposed the “track and trace” technology, which would cost the government $266 million, or P13.3 billion, under the Build-Operate-Transfer Law. The project was seen as a violation of the BOT law, which states the government shall not have an equity or pay any amount in implementing the project.

“What is the justification propounded by the proponent for such an expensive system? Is there even a need for one? We believe that the drop in excise tax collection is brought on by the higher price of our products as a result of several tax increases [excise tax increases in 2005, 2007 and 2009 as well as the value-added tax increase in 2006] and a stricter regulatory environment culminating in the complete ban on tobacco advertisement in July 2008, except tobacco advertisement inside the premise of retail establishments selling cigarettes,” Salanga said.

Also, under the Sicpa plan, the cigarette industry will pay more than P14 billion a year for the service that includes installation of surveillance gadgets in the premises of manufacturers. The PTI said systems using tax stamps applied to cigarette packs during manufacturing are costly, ineffective and insecure, citing the experience of some members in relation to the Sicpa system adopted by governments in Malaysia, Turkey and Brazil. Salanga said his group is open for consultation to arrive at an agreement to protect government revenues from illicit manufacturing and counterfeiting of fiscal markers.

Source: The Manila Times, 11 May 2009
Link:  http://tiny.cc/cngKE

Government wins vote on banning tobacco displays from shops

The Government has seen off an attempt to throw out plans to ban tobacco displays from shops. Peers voted by 204 to 110, majority 94, against the Tory ammendment to the Health Bill on Tuesday 5th May. Under proposals contained in the Bill, from 2013 all shops in England, Wales and Northern Ireland would be prevented from displaying tobacco products.  Baroness Thornton, for the Government, described the measure as "another important step to a tobacco-free world and one where children are protected and people who want to give it up are supported".

Earl Howe, for the Tories, said that research from the Government showing the ban would deter young people from taking up smoking was "shot through with weaknesses and leaps of logic". He told peers: "There are about 50,000 corner shops in the UK. The organisations representing these corner shops have told me of their acute worry that a point-of-sale ban on the display of tobacco will do serious harm to their trade. The level of concern is very, very high."

Lord Howe said selling cigarettes was crucial to create "footfall" in corner shops. "People who come in to buy cigarettes typically buy other things as well with a higher profit margin," he said. "If those people cease to patronise small shops the effect on trade in these outlets could well be terminal."

He added: "In Iceland since the tobacco display ban came into force 30% of small shops have closed. In Canada where the display ban is in force almost everywhere, dozens are closing every week. In Ontario alone where a ban was introduced only in June 2008, 765 convenience stores have closed permanently, that is 8.6% of the total."

Baroness Thornton said Britain had the lowest smoking rate on record, citing the bans on advertising and smoking in enclosed public places as contributing factors. "These great reforms were brought in the face of hostility, scepticism and misinformation and this is what we are asking you to do again," she said.

Two thirds of smokers started before they were 18, she said, and "we don't want cigarettes in our corner shops alongside the sweets, magazines, soft drinks and newspapers". The Government had a "responsibility to protect people from tobacco promotion", she added. "We know our tobacco control strategy has been effective so far and we want to go further. We have a responsibility also to do everything possible to support people who want to stop smoking and we are satisfied there are benefits for them from removing displays." She rejected arguments in favour of giving a choice to smokers in shops because she said "90%" of them knew exactly what they wanted to buy before they entered.

Lady Thornton attacked the tobacco industry for "attempting to panic shops" over the Bill's provisions adding: "I say shame on the tobacco industry for unnecessarily panicking decent honest shop keepers who serve their communities well." She added: "We are not in the business of frightening shopkeepers and we are going to give them a great deal of time to allow these measures to be enforced. We will not force tobacco under the counter - there is nothing here that does that."

Source: The Telegraph, 06 May 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/SdUYe

Kenya: Controversy looms over new rules on smoking

Fresh controversy over the ban on smoking in public places is looming following a move by the authorities to push through stiff penalties for offenders. The Government has proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act targeting managers of restaurants, offices, public buildings, factories, hospitals, churches, education facilities and other public places - areas where smoking has been outlawed under Section 33 of the Act.

In the proposal contained in the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2007 published on Friday, such officials could be jailed for failure to display “no smoking” notices in their premises. They will be required to pay a fine not exceeding Sh150,000, six months jail or both.

In the current form, the Act does not specify penalties for non compliance with this provision. Not all the areas where smoking is prohibited have placed those notices. The move is likely to trigger opposition especially from the church, as the institutions will now be required to place notices on their premises, traditionally known to be non-smoking areas.

“While most of our members have placed the notices, what has been unclear is who among the local authorities, the police or the Ministry of Public Health is supposed to enforce the requirements,” says Francis Munyororo, the secretary of the Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK), an industry lobby. “There has been a lot of confusion and enforcing the penalties could face the same setback,” said Mr Munyororo.

The law allows a manager or owner of a prohibited smoking area to evict a person who smokes within the area or within the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the area. Such a person is liable to an offence that attracts a fine of Sh50,000, or to a six -month jail term or both. “Its not a big deal to put a notice in the church compound as churches have traditionally been known to be non-smoking areas,” said Oscar Amisi, a pastor at Deliverance Church Umoja. “The Government has to come out clear on this law as there is a lot of confusion around it and we do not want to be caught unawares.”

This comes at a time when Public Health and Sanitation minister Beth Mugo is grappling with further amendments to the Act seeking to outlaw smoking on the streets countrywide and raise the price of cigarettes. Currently, the law says nothing about smoking on the streets. The ministry also wants Treasury to increase excise duty for tobacco products to force more people to abandon smoking.

If this is implemented in next month’s national budget, tobacco consumers could be forced to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for the expensive habit at a time when most people can barely afford basic household commodities. Since the law came into effect last year, it has prompted controversy infuriating cigarette manufacturers some of whom have called for a reduction in sin tax to lock out cheap and counterfeited cigarettes from the local market.

Source: Business Daily Africa, 13 May 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/jrBZU

Real world study to evaluate the effectiveness of Varenicline and cognitive-behavioural interventions for smoking cessation

Abstract

A prospective pragmatic interventional study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of varenicline for smoking cessation among a cohort of motivated smokers attending two smoking cessation clinics. Smokers between 18 and 65 years who had smoked 10 or more cigarettes per day were included. All participants received cognitive-behavioural varenicline according to approved dose and prescriptions. Continuous abstinence, validated by exhaled CO levels, was assessed in each control. A total of 264 smokers – 155 males (58.7%) and 109 females (41.3%) – were included. Mean age was 43.7, amount smoked was 23 cigarettes per day and 61.4% had at least one prior attempt to quit. The continuous abstinence rate at end of treatment (12 wks) was 58.3%. Conclusions: varenicline and cognitive-behavioural intervention are effective for smoking cessation with high continuous abstinence rates when used in a clinical setting.

Source: Ramon, J.M., et al. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2009, doi:10.3390/ijerph6041530
Link:  http://tiny.cc/vzic5

BAT issues second report on sustainable smoking

British American Tobacco published its 2008 sustainability report in early May, outlining its approaches to reduce the harm caused by tobacco products and announcing targets to lessen its environmental impact. The firm acknowledged the damage smoking causes in its first report, which covered 2007. This year it said: “What has become clearer over the last year is that the most important contribution we can make to tobacco harm reduction is to develop and make available a range of products that are potentially reduced-risk compared to conventional cigarettes.”

One alternative to smoking is snus – a moist tobacco placed under the upper lip. Popular in Sweden but banned in the rest of the EU, snus is still damaging, though its use presents fewer respiratory cancers and cardiovascular disease compared with smoking. The firm acquired snus and cigarette firm Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni last July and is looking to test-market snus in other territories. Elsewhere, it set targets – relative to production, rather than absolute – to reduce its energy and water usage, the amount of waste sent to landfill and greenhouse gas emissions. It will also develop ideas for sustainable packaging this year.

Source: Environmental Finance, 07 May 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/fAE37

PQ: Smoking and pregnancy

David Kidney (PPS (Rt Hon Rosie Winterton, Minister of State), Department for Work and Pensions; Stafford, Labour): To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that the Change 4 Life public awareness campaign includes information for young women about the importance of health and well-being before pregnancy with regard to (a) diet, (b) optimal body weight, (c) smoking and (d) alcohol consumption.

Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health; Bristol South, Labour): Change4Life currently provides information about diet and activity-related behaviours only (not smoking or alcohol consumption), and as this is a prevention campaign, it focuses on how these behaviours relate to children, i.e. what and how children eat, and how much they are physically active. The Change4Life campaign does not, therefore, currently target adults about their own diet and activity behaviours, rather it targets adults who are parents, about their children. It does not currently target adults who do not have children, or those planning a pregnancy.

With regards to tobacco and alcohol, there have been campaigns this year that have targeted pregnant women, as follows:

Smoking
An NHS Smokefree campaign targeting pregnant smokers launched in February 2009. Initial results showa 196 per cent. increase in calls against February 2008. Further information can be found at: www.smokefree.nhs.uk/smoking-and-pregnancy/ The campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and the immediate benefits of becoming smokefree for pregnant women and their babies, offers telephone stop smoking support and new resources.

Source: Hansard Source, 06 May 2009 346W
Link: http://tiny.cc/CrPcM

India: Government's role on dilution of tobacco warnings

The Supreme Court has summoned minutes of the group of ministers’ (GoM) meeting to find out whether former central health minister Anbumani Ramadoss had told the truth on the government succumbing to pressure on the tobacco warning on cigarettes rule. Ramadoss had alleged that the minutes of the meeting were changed to suit cigarette and bidi manufacturers.

The government admitted the warning was diluted, but said the new warning will come into effect without fail from May 31. There would be no more postponement in this regard, it said. “At least some pictorial warning will come into force,” the government said. “Better to start with something,” it added.

Ramadoss alleged the government had succumbed to pressure from the tobacco and cigarette manufacturers' lobby to dilute the pictorial warning specifications on cigarette packets. Addressing the media, he said: "I understand the government has decided to have pictorial warning of 40% only on retail cigarette and beedi packets and not on other bulk packages."

According to him, the minimum pictorial warning sign on one side of the packet is 30% internationally. In India, it is going to be 20% on one side as the government has decided on 40% norm. "I had recorded in the minutes of the meeting of Group of Ministers chaired by (External Affairs) Pranab Mukherjee held on Feb 3 that no decision on pictorial warning was taken. The minutes of that meeting seems to be changed after I quit the government," he alleged. Images of skull and bones, scorpion (the zodiac sign for cancer), lungs are some of the pictorial warning options.

Source: The Times of India, 05 May 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/6xyRN

Imperial Tobacco reports £149 million loss

Imperial Tobacco has reported a net loss of 149 million pounds during the first half of the fiscal year, on soaring costs partly linked to its takeover of rival Altadis. The loss after tax for the six months to March 31 compared with net profit of 233 million pounds during the equivalent period in 2007/08, British group Imperial said in an earnings statement.

Imperial last year bought French-Spanish rival Altadis for about 12.52 billion pounds, creating Europe's second-biggest tobacco company behind Altria Group's Philip Morris. Imperial added that its operating profit before exceptional items jumped 49 percent to 1.37 billion pounds in the first half of its financial year.

"We delivered a good first half operational performance, achieving further gains in a number of markets, while making considerable progress on the integration of Altadis," said Imperial's chief executive Gareth Davis. "Our international footprint and balanced portfolio have improved our position in both mature and emerging markets, with particularly good growth from our key cigarette brands Davidoff, Gauloises Blondes, Gitanes Blondes and JPS." Davis added that while Imperial was not immune from the global downturn, it was "well placed" to create "sustainable value" for shareholders.

Source: Yahoo News, 12 May 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/bki3Q

PQ: Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

John Cummings (Easington, Labour): To ask the Secretary of State for Health
(1) what recent assessment he has made of the UK's progress in meeting its obligations as a signatory to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; and which of these obligations the UK has met to date;
(2) what effect he has given to the (a) obligations and (b) guidelines contained in the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health; Bristol South, Labour): The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) encourages parties to take a comprehensive approach to tobacco control. A comprehensive approach to tobacco control is taken in the United Kingdom, and therefore, the Government believe that the UK meets the obligations set out in the Articles of the Convention.

FCTC guidelines adopted by parties are non-binding, and set out best practice guidance for parties in the development of their tobacco control policies. Guidelines are important in informing the development of tobacco control policies in the United Kingdom.

John Cummings (Easington, Labour): To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with European Union counterparts on the development of protocols and guidelines in respect of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health; Bristol South, Labour): Protocols and guidelines made under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) are discussed during relevant meetings convened by the European Commission. Adopted FCTC guidelines were discussed at the fifth meeting of member state health experts under the Tobacco Advertising Directive (2003/33) held on 21 April 2009, and at the ninth meeting of the Regulatory Committee established under Article 10 of the Tobacco Products Directive (2001/37/EC) on 22 April 2009.

John Cummings (Easington, Labour): To ask the Secretary of State for Health
(1) what the membership is of each working group of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of which the UK is a member; and what recent assessment he has made of the progress of each such working group;
(2) what his most recent assessment is of progress in the development of protocols and guidelines in respect of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control;
(3) what his most recent assessment is of progress made by the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (a) working groups and (b) Conference of the Parties; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health; Bristol South, Labour): The membership and progress of the current working groups established to develop draft guidelines under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), is set out by the World Health Organisation on its website at: www.who.int/fctc/coop/working_groups/en/index.html  Reports from FCTC Conferences of the Parties are published by the World Health Organisation on its website at: www.who.int/fctc/cop/en

John Cummings (Easington, Labour): To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms exist by which signatory countries to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control join its working groups.

Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health; Bristol South, Labour): Countries that are Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Parties volunteer to participate in working groups to elaborate guidelines under the Articles of the Convention, when parties agree that guidelines are to be developed.

John Cummings (Easington, Labour): To ask the Secretary of State for Health which working groups of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control the UK (a) is and (b) is not a member of; and what mechanism exists for UK representation in those working groups of which it is not a member.

Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health; Bristol South, Labour): Working groups are established to develop guidelines for implementation of the Articles in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Draft guidelines developed by these working groups are considered for adoption during FCTC Conferences of the Parties. The membership and progress of the current working groups is set out by the World Health Organisation on its website at: www.who.int/fctc/cop/working_groups/en/index.html

The United Kingdom is currently a member of two working groups developing guidelines and recommendations on Articles 9 and 10, and on Article 14 of the FCTC. The UK was also a member of the working group that developed guidelines on Articles 8 and 11 of the FCTC. The UK is not a member of two currently mandated working groups developing guidelines and recommendations on Article 12 and on Articles 17 and 18. The UK is also participating in the inter-governmental negotiating body which is to draft and negotiate a protocol on illicit trade in tobacco products, to support the provisions of Article 15 of the FCTC.

Source: Hansard, 30 May 2009 Column 1473W
Link: http://tiny.cc/IZXnl

US: Nevada considers relaxing smoking ban

The US state of Nevada is considering easing a smoking ban brought in two years ago. Bars and restaurants say they have lost up to a quarter of their takings since the law came into force in 2007. Now politicians are voting on a plan to allow smoking in places where food is served, if under 21s are barred from entry.

In Las Vegas, where just about anything goes, smoking is still allowed inside bars, shops and casinos. Bryn Nicholas, 31, is on holiday in Las Vegas from the UK.  "You don't even really smell the smoke. It's all air conditioned," he said.

In Vegas, people often light up whilst gambling and enjoying a drink, but many believe the laws should be relaxed further. Venues had to adapt to the new rules in 2007 and some complain it has cost them business. "We had to put up walls with closing doors," said David Barnes, manager of Ellis Island casino, bar and restaurant. "I just believe that it hurts the restaurant and bar business overall."

But he says changing the law again would do more harm than good. "Those who want to smoke can still step outside, they just can't do it at the table... smokers would have to wait longer to get a table," he said.

Vegas is Nevada's most populated city and attracts millions of visitors each year. Some agree that the rules should be relaxed, but many say they should stay as they are. Josh Martinez, 23, and Sophia Alvarez, 22, are on holiday from southern California. "Everybody's here to do what they want," Josh said. "So people smoke, sure, whatever. I haven't had any problems with it. But they disagree with the plans to allow smoking in restaurants. "I hate the smoke, you should be able to keep that separate from everybody else," added Sophia.

In April, the Nevada state senate voted in favour of relaxing the smoking ban. The bill now faces one more vote in the state assembly before it becomes law. If passed, the change would make Nevada the first of 24 US states where smoking is banned in bars and restaurants to relax the law. So far, no others have shown signs of softening state-wide laws, but some cities have acted alone to relax anti-smoking laws.

Source: BBC Newsbeat, 07 May 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/AEv6W

US: Philip Morris meeting mixes tobacco profit and protests

It was a meeting of big numbers. Philip Morris International emphasized its 2008 profit: $16.3 billion on the sale of 850 billion cigarettes outside the United States. But antitobacco advocates in the audience chose to cite the estimated 5.4 million people around the globe who died last year from smoking-related causes. The meeting in Midtown Manhattan was the first annual shareholder event since Philip Morris split off its international unit last year as a separate business from the American tobacco operations.

Louis C. Camilleri, the chairman of Philip Morris International, noted that profits rose from a range of price increases, even as sales of cigarette units were virtually flat. Highlighting figures previously released, Mr. Camilleri said the company’s revenue was up 6.6 percent last year, to $25.7 billion, excluding excise taxes. “We have demonstrated our ability to use pricing in order to improve profitability even in recessionary times,” Mr. Camilleri said. First-quarter 2009 sales increased another 6.3 percent, he said, “driven by price increases across a broad range of markets.”

While many in the audience of about 200 shareholders seemed pleased with the data, about 30 dissidents in the room used the event to protest smoking’s toll. One woman asked for a minute of silence for people who died last year from smoking-related causes. The ballroom fell silent. Then Mr. Camilleri said, “Thank you” and took the next question, from a supportive shareholder, whom he promised handsome dividends. He said the company, midway through a two-year, $13 billion share repurchase program, would return more than 65 percent of earnings to stockholders this year.

During the meeting, six people in the audience, their heads covered with black hoods, held signs about the death toll from smoking. Among items up for vote, shareholders approved Mr. Camilleri’s eligibility for $9.4 million in incentive pay for 2008, making his total compensation $32 million, up from the $24 million in compensation Mr. Camilleri made the previous year, as chairman of Philip Morris’s parent, Altria.

Source: The New York Times, 05 May 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/Caoym