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Philip Morris Joins Fight Against Massachusetts's Cigarette Tax Hike 

Philip Morris USA has joined the fight against Massachusetts's $1 per pack cigarette tax hike, the Boston Herald reports.

Through fliers posted at local convenience stores, the tobacco company is asking smokers to oppose raising the tax by calling their legislators to stop the plan. The increase already passed the House and now the Senate is considering the plan.

Philip Morris also set up a "Massachusetts Legislative Hotline" for smokers to phone for tips on what to tell lawmakers. "Enough is enough," the Philip Morris hotline recording says of the proposed tax hike. The "hotline" can automatically transfer calls to legislators' State House offices.

Bill Phelps, a spokesman for Altria, Philip Morris' parent company of Philip Morris, confirmed that the company is "providing materials" to retailers that stock cigarettes.

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