Tobacco Documents Online

t continued to lead the company's strong volume growth in Germany, while in Italy, Philip Morris products accounted for six of the top ten brands. !n France, Chesterfield continued its strong upward share trend, and in Finland, L&M gained considerable share. In the Asia/Pacific region, the company delivered strong growth in Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan. In Japan, the company's new ultra-low- tar product, Next, successfully launched last September, continued to grow strongly, reaching over one percent share of market. Coupled with strong growth from a number of the company's U.S.-heritage brands, these gains have driven Philip Morris' market share in Japan to an all-time high. The company continued to expand its international tobacco opera- tions in the second quarter, acquiring a majority interest in the Kharkov Tobacco Factory in the Ukraine. "Weld Signs Cigarette Law Authorizing Massachusetts to Sue Cigarette Makers for Smoking-Related Medicaid Costs" Wall Street Journal (07/12194) P. B9; Geyelin, Milo Governor William Weld of Massachusetts has signed a measure authorizing the state's attorney general to sue cigarette makers in an effort to recoup smoking-related Medicaid costs. Massachusetts taxpayers spent over $500 million on smoking-related health care in 1988, according to a spokesman for the state Department of Public Health. The state attorney general's office is looking into launching a suit under the new law. The Massachusetts provision doesn't explicitly ban tobacco companies from employing any of their traditional legal defenses, unlike a similar Florida law which is being challenged as unconstitutional. Philip Morris Cos. is challenging the Florida measure. Charles Wall, the company's vice president and associate general counsel, said he doesn't think Philip Morris will go after the Massachusetts law. "Teamsters Say They Won't Attend Philip Morris Meeting" Reuters (07/11/94) The International Brotherhood of Teamsters says they have informed Philip Morris Cos. Inc. that they will not be attending a special institu- tional shareholders meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Bart Naylor, national coordinator for public affairs, said that the Teamsters wouldn't attend the meeting because "they would not be able to assure us they would be able to have outside directors." Naylor says the Teamsters were also requesting the presence of former Chief Executive Hamish Maxwell. Philip Morris announced it would be represented by top management, including Chairman William Murray f