Philip Morris France and Former President Fined for Tobacco Advertising
Introduction
Philip Morris France, a subsidiary of the tobacco giant Philip Morris, and its former president, Jeanne Pollès, have been convicted of "direct advertising or propaganda" in favor of tobacco and vaping products by the Paris Criminal Court. The company and Pollès were fined 500,000 euros and 50,000 euros, respectively.
Violations of French Law
The court ruled that the website dedicated to the IQOS heated tobacco device, marketed by Philip Morris, contained statements that "intended or had the effect of promoting both the quality and safety of the IQOS device, under the guise of an alleged scientifically validated reduction in the risks associated with tobacco consumption."
The court further stated that "this promotion… is a direct advertisement for this device that inevitably refers to the tobacco product it allows to be consumed. It therefore constitutes an illegal indirect advertisement." Additionally, the court found that "the publication of April 13, 2023 associates the tobacco produced by Philip Morris with a responsible management of forest resources, which is also prohibited."
Court’s Criticism of Philip Morris
The court denounced the "deliberate violations committed by a company belonging to the world’s largest cigarette manufacturer and its president, who were fully advised and informed of the regulations in force, and who devoted major investments to attempt to circumvent the law over a period of a year and a half."
"This attitude is based on pure economic calculation, which has been successful considering the increase in the use of the IQOS device in the last five years," the court continued.
Previous Conviction and Damages
The fines also took into account a previous conviction in 2011 "for direct advertising or propaganda in favor of tobacco or its products." The company and its former president were sued by the National Committee Against Smoking (CNCT), a French anti-tobacco association. In addition to the fines, they were ordered to pay 50,000 euros in damages to the CNCT and 5,000 euros each for legal costs.
The CNCT had previously successfully sued the company for a similar offense. In mid-2024, Philip Morris France was fined 500,000 euros and Philip Morris Products was fined 400,000 euros in an appeals court case. The group has appealed this decision to the Supreme Court.
Conclusion
This latest conviction against Philip Morris France and its former president highlights the continued efforts of French authorities to combat tobacco advertising. The court’s decision sends a strong message to the tobacco industry that it will not tolerate attempts to circumvent the law and promote harmful products. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of anti-tobacco campaigns in protecting public health.
