Philip Morris USA
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | |
| Headquarters | United States |
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Area served
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United States |
| Parent | Altria Group |
| Website | www |
Philip Morris USA is the United States tobacco division of Altria Group.
The company's namesake Philip Morris was born in Whitechapel, United Kingdom in 1835, the son of a recent immigrant from Germany who had taken the name Bernard Morris. In 1847, the family opened a shop in London. The first cigarettes that Philip Morris made were in 1854 and were known as "Philip Morris English Ovals," a non-filter brand of oval-shaped cigarettes that are still manufactured today in very limited quantities.
Philip Morris (1835–1873) was a British tobacconist and cigarette importer whose name was later used for Philip Morris Inc. Ltd. established in New York City in 1902.
In 1902, Philip Morris & Co., Ltd. was incorporated in New York City. George J. Whelan bought the American division of the company in 1919 and created Philip Morris & Company Ltd., along with fellow shareholders Reuben M. Ellis and Leonard B. McKitterick.
In 1929, the company made its first cigarettes in Richmond, using an existing factory the company purchased. In 1933, this factory was racially integrated more than 30 years before the law required it. In 1938, the company offered to ordinary buyers.
An advertisement displaying a Philip Morris brand of cigarettes.
In 1924, Philip Morris began advertising Marlboros specifically to women. The cigarettes had "new cork-tip filters housed in a flip-top box with a red roof design."
In 1970, Philip Morris made the first of several acquisitions with the purchase of Miller Brewing Company. In 1985, Philip Morris Cos. became a holding company and the parent of Philip Morris Inc. and bought General Foods. The acquisition of Kraft Foods came in 1988, after which Kraft and General Foods became Kraft General Foods.
In the 1970s, in response to smokers’ health concerns, Philip Morris introduced the “Light” cigarette - which was later found to be no safer than any others.
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