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[ INDUSTRY NEWS]
Illinois collects $500,000 in Internet cigarette taxes
Beginning in August, smokers who picked up a pack of cigarettes manufactured by Richmond, Va.-based Philip Morris received additional health information along with the usual Surgeon General's warnings.
As reported by the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, Philip Morris has begun attaching pamphlets to its cigarettes that inform smokers where they can find information about the health consequences associated with smoking and ways to quit on the Web site www.QuitAssist.com.
Jennifer Golisch, a spokeswoman for Philip Morris, told the newspaper, "We manufacture a product that's addictive. We believe we have a responsibility to help reduce the harm."
However, some anti-smoking critics have doubts about the program's ability to help smokers quit. Coalition for Tobacco-Free Kids spokesman Vince Willmore told the newspaper he is skeptical of the program because of its timing, noting the coincidence of Philip Morris launching the program as closing arguments of the nine-month government lawsuit against the tobacco companies are underway.
Willmore suggested that Philip Morris save its money and develop a more effective program, such as printing a smoking cessation help-line number directly on packs of cigarettes. He told the newspaper, "This is a pale imitation of a real
program to help smokers quit. It's a public relations and legal strategy."
Golisch told the newspaper that the QuitAssist program is a voluntary effort by Philip Morris and is not related to any litigation. QuitAssist is a free information resource made available by Philip Morris that connects smokers to online resources and tools for kicking their nicotine habit.
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