Labor in the Supply Chain

Respect for people is fundamental to the way we conduct business. Altria values all employees throughout our family of companies and is committed to providing quality jobs, safe workplaces and opportunities for growth and advancement. We encourage our business partners to do the same.

Compliance

We expect those who do business with our companies to comply with all laws and regulations ─ including those related to worker safety and the legal status of workers.

We do not condone the unlawful employment of children in the workplace, nor do we condone forced labor. Our Child and Forced Labor Policy outlines our position and expectations. PM USA's contracts with suppliers require them to abide by this policy.

As part of their integration into the Altria family of companies, John Middleton Co. and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company are working to adopt similar policies and procurement practices.

Domestic Procurement

In the U.S., where our tobacco companies operate and procure most of their tobacco, we support tobacco farmers having a reliable source of legal workers. We also support the enforcement of labor and housing standards as defined by federal and state regulations, and the well-established and comprehensive regulatory regime in the United States, including laws and inspections overseen by the Department of Labor. We do not condone the unlawful employment or exploitation of migrant workers.

Engagement

PM USA purchases the majority of its tobacco through direct grower contracts in the U.S. To promote compliance with laws and regulations governing farm labor and responsible business practices, PM USA develops and distributes communications to clearly articulate its positions. 

PM USA provides Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) handbooks to all of its contracted growers. These materials include sections on worker safety, and the safe handling, application, storage and disposal of crop protection agents. In addition, through its relationships with growers, PM USA promotes responsible farming practices through grower contacts and on-farm visits.

PM USA provides funding to land-grant universities throughout tobacco growing regions to develop resource materials through state extension services which also address farm labor and worker safety issues.

International Procurement

With respect to international tobacco procurement, PM USA acquires its tobacco from third-party suppliers who procure leaf from growers abroad. PM USA requires these suppliers to source its tobacco in compliance with all applicable laws and contractual obligations.

PM USA works with many suppliers to increase their understanding of the issues of child labor and forced labor and communicates to suppliers the expectation that they comply with applicable laws. PM USA engages with these suppliers on these issues through forums, information sessions and business meetings.

PM USA works with third-party quality assurance suppliers to audit the overseas processing facilities of tobacco suppliers and international factories that produce custom consumer incentive items.

As a purchaser of offshore tobacco, PM USA is also a founding member of the international, Geneva-based ECLT Foundation. The ECLT brings together businesses, growers and labor representatives for the purpose of ending the inappropriate use of child labor in tobacco growing and providing children with an upbringing that gives them the best chance to succeed in all aspects of life.

Related Information



On Altria.com

• Green Tobacco Sickness

Philip Morris USA Web Resources:

• Engaging with Our Business Partners
• Tobacco Leaders Program
• Agricultural Practices
• Child & Forced Labor  
• Migrant Labor 
• Reducing Environmental Impact In Malawi

U.S. Smokeless Web Resources:

• Working with Farmers