Stakeholder Engagement

At Altria Group and its operating companies, we believe that listening to and talking with people about the issues surrounding our products and our businesses is important. Stakeholder engagement ─ one of the objectives that supports our Mission ─ happens when a company engages in dialogue on issues of mutual concern.

Our tobacco operating companies' issues are complex. Engaging with stakeholders can help increase our understanding of the views of others and enhance our ability to resolve those issues. We have learned through experience that external engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders can help inform our business decisions.

Stakeholders in Every Part of the Business

Each of our companies has an impact on or can be impacted by stakeholders ─ from shareholders to tobacco growers, trade partners and public health organizations. Likewise, our business actions can affect or be affected by those in government and the regulatory sector, as well as the regions and towns where we live, work and do business.

Essential to Business Success

Our long-term business success requires us to listen to, consider and respond to the expectations that our stakeholders have of Altria and its operating companies. Engagement informs our business strategy, enhances our planning and sharpens our decision-making.

Our Approach and Process

Altria and its operating companies engage with stakeholders in a number of ways. Our employees regularly meet with retailers, growers, suppliers and adult consumers in the course of doing business. We interact with investors, media, elected officials, community leaders, public health professionals, scientists and other members of the public who are interested in tobacco issues. We also monitor news reports, attend conferences, survey public opinion and use other means to stay informed about emerging trends and views of our businesses. These discussions have resulted in us taking action to address concerns raised by certain stakeholders. Examples of the results of some of these interactions can be found through the links on the right side of this page.

We apply what we learn from these interactions to:

• identify and manage emerging issues
• inform our business processes, including our annual strategic planning and risk management processes, and other decision making
• continue our efforts to align with society and
• build a better understanding of Altria and its companies.

Related Information

On Altria.com

• Supplier Diversity Development
• Corporate Contributions
• Employee Involvement

Philip Morris USA Web Resources

• Tobacco Leaders Program
• Protecting PM USA’s Brands
• Eliminating Smoking Scenes From Movies Directed at Youth
• Reducing PM USA’s Impact on Virginia’s James River
• Reducing Environmental Impact in Malawi

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Web Resources

• Working with Farmers