Press Release: European Commission and Philip Morris International sign 12-year Agreement to combat contraband and counterfeit cigarettes

he European Commission, together with ten Member States and Philip Morris International (PMI), announced a multi-year agreement on 9 July 2004 that includes an efficient system to fight against future cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting and which ends all litigation between the parties in this area. Through the agreement, Philip Morris International will work with the European Commission, its anti-fraud office OLAF, and law enforcement authorities to help in the fight against contraband, including the rapidly growing problem of counterfeit cigarettes. The agreement includes substantial payments by Philip Morris International, which could total approximately $1.25 billion over twelve years.

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