Philip Morris U.S.A. statement on Maryland attorney general's lawsuit

Business Wire, May 1, 1996

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 1996--Philip Morris U.S.A. statement on Maryland attorney general's lawsuit:

Philip Morris U.S.A. will vigorously defend this lawsuit, and the company firmly believes it will ultimately prevail. Maryland's attorney general has cast his lot with an unusual assortment of plaintiffs' lawyers and politicians from other states who believe they can ignore established product liability law and use courts to legislate public policy on tobacco.

We believe today's action will cost the state millions of taxpayer dollars in time and costs, and people across Maryland should be deeply disappointed by this waste of the state's money and employees' time.

At the same time, manufacturers and businesses across Maryland must now be deeply concerned that they, too, may be the target of a politically motivated lawsuit, no matter how little legal grounds the state may have.

CONTACT: Dolly Colby

212-878-2144