-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, MIGo+TrmkV1nVc2yHqITAdJwBZZtWnaLQYCr1yGRXPfUCIuei+mDBiYhkTMzzDMR O1dSXjkgGyq14cm4JGJDcw== 0000950103-04-000488.txt : 20040405 0000950103-04-000488.hdr.sgml : 20040405 20040405111801 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950103-04-000488 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20040403 ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure FILED AS OF DATE: 20040405 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ALTRIA GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000764180 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FOOD & KINDRED PRODUCTS [2000] IRS NUMBER: 133260245 STATE OF INCORPORATION: VA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-08940 FILM NUMBER: 04715973 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 120 PARK AVE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10017 BUSINESS PHONE: 9176634000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 120 PARK AVE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10017 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: PHILIP MORRIS COMPANIES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 8-K 1 apr0504_8k.htm apr0504_8k

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 3, 2004

ALTRIA GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Virginia
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
1-8940
(Commission File Number)
13-3260245
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
     
     
120 Park Avenue, New York, New York
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
10017-5592
  (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (917) 663-4000

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 





Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure.

      On April 3, 2004, Philip Morris International Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Altria Group, Inc., issued a press release concerning negotiations with the European Commission regarding a draft cooperation agreement. The terms of a draft agreement have been submitted to several Member States of the European Union. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

     In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this current report on Form 8-K, including the exhibit hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. The information in this Current Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing or document.






SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

  ALTRIA GROUP, INC.
       
Date: April 5, 2004 By: /s/ G. Penn Holsenbeck
   
    Name: G. Penn Holsenbeck
    Title: Vice President, Associate General Counsel
      and Corporate Secretary





INDEX TO EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
   
99.1 Philip Morris International Inc. Press Release dated April 3, 2004



EX-99.1 3 apr0504_ex9901.htm Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL CONFIRMS DISCUSSIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN
UNION ON A COOPERATION AGREEMENT TO FIGHT THE ILLEGAL CIGARETTE
TRADE

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – 3 April, 2004 – Following reports in the news media today, Philip Morris International confirmed that it has been in discussions with the European Commission regarding the terms of a longterm cooperation agreement to fight illegal trade in counterfeit and genuine cigarettes. The terms of the draft agreement have been submitted to several Member States of the European Union.

A spokesperson for Philip Morris International said that the draft agreement had not been finalized and was still subject to the approval of Member States and the Board of Directors of Philip Morris International.

Philip Morris International did confirm that the negotiations contemplated broad areas of cooperation with European law enforcement agencies that would build upon Philip Morris International’s existing policies and procedures designed to assure that its tobacco products are sold appropriately and lawfully. Included are customer oversight policies and provisions for the tracking of products manufactured by Philip Morris International.

Philip Morris International also said that the draft agreement would contemplate substantial payments over a number of years that would be available to fund anti-contraband and anti-counterfeit efforts.

The agreement would also resolve all disputes between the European Commission, the Member States, and Philip Morris International relating to these issues.

Philip Morris International said that it sees a new era of cooperation with the European Commission and its Member States in the fight against illegal trade in cigarettes, and particularly the growing problem of fake cigarettes, which increasingly dominate the market in illegal cigarettes and represent a significant challenge for Philip Morris International, and particularly its Marlboro brand.

# # #

Information on Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International is one of the operating companies of Altria Group, Inc. Philip Morris International, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, is a leading tobacco company outside the United States. Philip Morris International produces and markets some of the world's most popular cigarette brands, including Marlboro, L&M and Chesterfield.

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