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• BARRINGTON: Tobacco Regulation Benefits Industry, Consumers, and the Public 

Communities are often defined, at least in part, by the businesses that call them home. The history of our great commonwealth has been closely intertwined with tobacco since the first days of Jamestown.

Tobacco has played and continues to play an important role in Virginia's economy. . . .

By supporting FDA regulation, we hoped to provide leadership in helping resolve many of the issues that concern the public, our consumers, the public health community, and our tobacco companies, including a framework for guidance on harm-reduction efforts.

Is the legislation is perfect? No. The bill awaiting the president's signature is the result of compromises by all involved. There are some provisions that we believe cross constitutional limits, and we made our views well-known on that. . . .

Clearly, regulation will mean changes for the industry. Many have fought against regulation and continue to resist the changes it will bring, claiming some companies will gain a unique competitive advantage from this legislation. To the contrary, the legislation establishes a level playing field for all industry players.

As in any industry, the companies that best meet the evolving preferences of their consumers while adapting to a new environment will be the ones that succeed. That is exactly what we plan to do.

In the end, having clear rules established by a federal agency should provide more predictability for how all tobacco businesses are expected to operate. And that predictability will best serve the interests of our consumers, employees, retirees, suppliers, and the countless others who benefit from the fact that Altria calls Richmond home.

--Martin J. Barrington is executive vice president and chief compliance and administrative officer for Altria Group Inc.

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Many have fought against regulation and continue to resist the changes it will bring, claiming some companies will gain a unique competitive advantage from this legislation. To the contrary, the legislation establishes a level playing field for all industry players.
Philip Morris exec Martin J. Barrington offers more of the company's traditional straight-talk, this time on the FDA bill.