10-Q 1 a2015form10-qq12015.htm FORM 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)

ý | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015
OR

¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 1-08940
Altria Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia |  | 13-3260245
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6601 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia |  | 23230
(Address of principal executive offices) |  | (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (804) 274-2200
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer |  | þ |  | Accelerated filer |  | ¨
Non-accelerated filer |  | ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |  | Smaller reporting company |  | ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ
At April 14, 2015, there were 1,966,557,766 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.33 1/3 per share.

Table of Contents
ALTRIA GROUP, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

|  |  |  | Page No.
PART I - |  | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |  |
Item 1. |  | Financial Statements (Unaudited) |  |
|  | Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 |  | 3
|  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 |  | 5
|  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 |  | 6
|  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 and the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 |  | 7
|  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 |  | 8
|  | Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |  | 10
Item 2. |  | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |  | 59
Item 4. |  | Controls and Procedures |  | 86
PART II - |  | OTHER INFORMATION |  |
Item 1. |  | Legal Proceedings |  | 86
Item 1A. |  | Risk Factors |  | 86
Item 2. |  | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |  | 86
Item 6. |  | Exhibits |  | 87
Signature |  | Signature |  | 88

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Table of Contents
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions of dollars)
(Unaudited)

|  | March 31, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
Assets |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 3,674 |  |  | $ | 3,321 |
Receivables |  | 172 |  |  | 124 |
Inventories: |  |  |  |
Leaf tobacco |  | 1,019 |  |  | 991 |
Other raw materials |  | 200 |  |  | 200 |
Work in process |  | 410 |  |  | 429 |
Finished product |  | 456 |  |  | 420 |
|  | 2,085 |  |  | 2,040 |
Deferred income taxes |  | 1,143 |  |  | 1,143 |
Other current assets |  | 159 |  |  | 250 |
Total current assets |  | 7,233 |  |  | 6,878 |
Property, plant and equipment, at cost |  | 4,784 |  |  | 4,755 |
Less accumulated depreciation |  | 2,812 |  |  | 2,772 |
|  | 1,972 |  |  | 1,983 |
Goodwill |  | 5,285 |  |  | 5,285 |
Other intangible assets, net |  | 12,044 |  |  | 12,049 |
Investment in SABMiller |  | 5,850 |  |  | 6,183 |
Finance assets, net |  | 1,360 |  |  | 1,614 |
Other assets |  | 468 |  |  | 483 |
Total Assets |  | $ | 34,212 |  |  | $ | 34,475 |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
(in millions of dollars, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

|  | March 31, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Current portion of long-term debt |  | $ | 1,000 |  |  | $ | 1,000 |
Accounts payable |  | 274 |  |  | 416 |
Accrued liabilities: |  |  |  |
Marketing |  | 605 |  |  | 618 |
Employment costs |  | 67 |  |  | 186 |
Settlement charges |  | 4,551 |  |  | 3,500 |
Other |  | 890 |  |  | 925 |
Income taxes |  | 482 |  |  | — |
Dividends payable |  | 1,026 |  |  | 1,028 |
Total current liabilities |  | 8,895 |  |  | 7,673 |
Long-term debt |  | 12,901 |  |  | 13,693 |
Deferred income taxes |  | 5,907 |  |  | 6,088 |
Accrued pension costs |  | 978 |  |  | 1,012 |
Accrued postretirement health care costs |  | 2,454 |  |  | 2,461 |
Other liabilities |  | 515 |  |  | 503 |
Total liabilities |  | 31,650 |  |  | 31,430 |
Contingencies (Note 9) |  |  |  |
Redeemable noncontrolling interest |  | 34 |  |  | 35 |
Stockholders’ Equity |  |  |  |
Common stock, par value $0.33 1/3 per share (2,805,961,317 shares issued) |  | 935 |  |  | 935 |
Additional paid-in capital |  | 5,754 |  |  | 5,735 |
Earnings reinvested in the business |  | 26,271 |  |  | 26,277 |
Accumulated other comprehensive losses |  | (2,945 | ) |  | (2,682 | )
Cost of repurchased stock (838,798,481 shares at March 31, 2015 and 834,486,794 shares at December 31, 2014) |  | (27,482 | ) |  | (27,251 | )
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | 2,533 |  |  | 3,014 |
Noncontrolling interests |  | (5 | ) |  | (4 | )
Total stockholders’ equity |  | 2,528 |  |  | 3,010 |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |  | $ | 34,212 |  |  | $ | 34,475 |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(in millions of dollars, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
Net revenues |  | $ | 5,804 |  |  | $ | 5,517 |
Cost of sales |  | 1,797 |  |  | 1,752 |
Excise taxes on products |  | 1,532 |  |  | 1,509 |
Gross profit |  | 2,475 |  |  | 2,256 |
Marketing, administration and research costs |  | 610 |  |  | 520 |
Asset impairment and exit costs |  | — |  |  | 2 |
Operating income |  | 1,865 |  |  | 1,734 |
Interest and other debt expense, net |  | 209 |  |  | 153 |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |  | 228 |  |  | — |
Earnings from equity investment in SABMiller |  | (134 | ) |  | (225 | )
Earnings before income taxes |  | 1,562 |  |  | 1,806 |
Provision for income taxes |  | 544 |  |  | 631 |
Net earnings |  | 1,018 |  |  | 1,175 |
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | — |  |  | — |
Net earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | $ | 1,018 |  |  | $ | 1,175 |
Per share data: |  |  |  |
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | $ | 0.52 |  |  | $ | 0.59 |
Dividends declared |  | $ | 0.52 |  |  | $ | 0.48 |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Table of Contents
Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
(in millions of dollars)
(Unaudited)

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
Net earnings |  | $ | 1,018 |  |  | $ | 1,175 |
Other comprehensive earnings (losses), net of deferred income taxes: |  |  |  |
Currency translation adjustments |  | (1 | ) |  | — |
Benefit plans |  | 42 |  |  | 25 |
SABMiller |  | (304 | ) |  | 35 |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings, net of deferred income taxes |  | (263 | ) |  | 60 |
Comprehensive earnings |  | 755 |  |  | 1,235 |
Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | — |  |  | — |
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | $ | 755 |  |  | $ | 1,235 |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 and
the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(in millions of dollars, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

|  | Attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  |  |  |
|  | Common Stock |  | Additional Paid-in Capital |  | Earnings Reinvested in the Business |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses |  | Cost of Repurchased Stock |  | Non-controlling Interests |  | Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balances, December 31, 2013 |  | $ | 935 |  |  | $ | 5,714 |  |  | $ | 25,168 |  |  | $ | (1,378 | ) |  | $ | (26,320 | ) |  | $ | (1 | ) |  | $ | 4,118 |
Net earnings (losses) (1) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5,070 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (3 | ) |  | 5,067 |
Other comprehensive losses, net of deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,304 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,304 | )
Stock award activity |  | — |  |  | 21 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 8 |  |  | — |  |  | 29 |
Cash dividends declared ($2.00 per share) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (3,961 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (3,961 | )
Repurchases of common stock |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (939 | ) |  | — |  |  | (939 | )
Balances, December 31, 2014 |  | 935 |  |  | 5,735 |  |  | 26,277 |  |  | (2,682 | ) |  | (27,251 | ) |  | (4 | ) |  | 3,010 |
Net earnings (losses) (1) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,018 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 1,017 |
Other comprehensive losses, net of deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (263 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (263 | )
Stock award activity |  | — |  |  | 19 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (39 | ) |  | — |  |  | (20 | )
Cash dividends declared ($0.52 per share) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,024 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,024 | )
Repurchases of common stock |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (192 | ) |  | — |  |  | (192 | )
Balances, March 31, 2015 |  | $ | 935 |  |  | $ | 5,754 |  |  | $ | 26,271 |  |  | $ | (2,945 | ) |  | $ | (27,482 | ) |  | $ | (5 | ) |  | $ | 2,528 |

(1) | Net losses attributable to noncontrolling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2014 exclude net earnings of $1 million and $3 million, respectively, due to the redeemable noncontrolling interest related to Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, which is reported in the mezzanine equity section in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in millions of dollars)
(Unaudited)

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities |  |  |  |
Net earnings |  | $ | 1,018 |  |  | $ | 1,175 |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows: |  |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization |  | 49 |  |  | 50 |
Deferred income tax benefit |  | (40 | ) |  | (13 | )
Earnings from equity investment in SABMiller |  | (134 | ) |  | (225 | )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |  | 228 |  |  | — |
Cash effects of changes: |  |  |  |
Receivables, net |  | 25 |  |  | 2 |
Inventories |  | (62 | ) |  | (91 | )
Accounts payable |  | (166 | ) |  | (109 | )
Income taxes |  | 541 |  |  | 601 |
Accrued liabilities and other current assets |  | (117 | ) |  | (234 | )
Accrued settlement charges |  | 1,051 |  |  | 919 |
Pension plan contributions |  | (4 | ) |  | (4 | )
Pension provisions and postretirement, net |  | 25 |  |  | 11 |
Other |  | 84 |  |  | 43 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |  | 2,498 |  |  | 2,125 |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(in millions of dollars)
(Unaudited)

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities |  |  |  |
Capital expenditures |  | $ | (48 | ) |  | $ | (27 | )
Proceeds from finance assets |  | 147 |  |  | 98 |
Other |  | — |  |  | 5 |
Net cash provided by investing activities |  | 99 |  |  | 76 |
Cash Used in Financing Activities |  |  |  |
Long-term debt repaid |  | (793 | ) |  | (525 | )
Repurchases of common stock |  | (192 | ) |  | (272 | )
Dividends paid on common stock |  | (1,026 | ) |  | (957 | )
Premiums and fees related to early extinguishment of debt |  | (226 | ) |  | — |
Other |  | (7 | ) |  | (2 | )
Cash used in financing activities |  | (2,244 | ) |  | (1,756 | )
Cash and cash equivalents: |  |  |  |
Increase |  | 353 |  |  | 445 |
Balance at beginning of period |  | 3,321 |  |  | 3,175 |
Balance at end of period |  | $ | 3,674 |  |  | $ | 3,620 |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Background and Basis of Presentation:
Background
At March 31, 2015, Altria Group, Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiaries included Philip Morris USA Inc. (“PM USA”), which is engaged predominantly in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States; John Middleton Co. (“Middleton”), which is engaged in the manufacture and sale of machine-made large cigars and pipe tobacco, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PM USA; and UST LLC (“UST”), which through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC (“USSTC”) and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Ltd. (“Ste. Michelle”), is engaged in the manufacture and sale of smokeless tobacco products and wine. Altria Group, Inc.’s other operating companies included Nu Mark LLC (“Nu Mark”), a wholly-owned subsidiary that is engaged in the manufacture and sale of innovative tobacco products, and Philip Morris Capital Corporation (“PMCC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary that maintains a portfolio of finance assets, substantially all of which are leveraged leases. Other Altria Group, Inc. wholly-owned subsidiaries included Altria Group Distribution Company, which provides sales, distribution and consumer engagement services to certain Altria Group, Inc. operating subsidiaries, and Altria Client Services Inc., which provides various support services, such as legal, regulatory, finance, human resources and external affairs, to Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Altria Group, Inc.’s access to the operating cash flows of its wholly-owned subsidiaries consists of cash received from the payment of dividends and distributions, and the payment of interest on intercompany loans by its subsidiaries. At March 31, 2015, Altria Group, Inc.’s principal wholly-owned subsidiaries were not limited by long-term debt or other agreements in their ability to pay cash dividends or make other distributions with respect to their equity interests.
At March 31, 2015, Altria Group, Inc. also held approximately 27% of the economic and voting interest of SABMiller plc (“SABMiller”), which Altria Group, Inc. accounts for under the equity method of accounting. Altria Group, Inc. receives cash dividends on its interest in SABMiller if and when SABMiller pays such dividends.
Share Repurchases
Altria Group, Inc.’s share repurchase activity was as follows:

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions, except per share data)
Total number of shares repurchased |  | 3.6 |  |  | 7.5 |
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased |  | $ | 192 |  |  | $ | 272 |
Average price per share of shares repurchased |  | $ | 53.03 |  |  | $ | 35.98 |

In April 2013, Altria Group, Inc.’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) authorized a $300 million share repurchase program and expanded it to $1.0 billion in August 2013 (as expanded, the “April 2013 share repurchase program”). During the third quarter of 2014, Altria Group, Inc. completed the April 2013 share repurchase program, under which Altria Group, Inc. repurchased a total of 27.1 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $36.97 per share.
In July 2014, the Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion share repurchase program (the “July 2014 share repurchase program”). At March 31, 2015, Altria Group, Inc. had approximately $326 million remaining in the July 2014 share repurchase program. The timing of share repurchases under this program depends upon marketplace conditions and other factors, and the program remains subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Basis of Presentation
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Altria Group, Inc. are unaudited. It is the opinion of Altria Group, Inc.’s management that all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim results presented have been reflected therein. All such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. Net revenues and net earnings for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year.
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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, which appear in Altria Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Note 2. Acquisition of Green Smoke:
In April 2014, Nu Mark acquired the e-vapor business of Green Smoke, Inc. and its affiliates (“Green Smoke”) for a total purchase price of approximately $130 million. The acquisition complements Nu Mark’s capabilities and enhances its competitive position by adding e-vapor experience, broadening product offerings and strengthening supply chain capabilities.
Green Smoke’s financial position and results of operations have been consolidated with Altria Group, Inc. as of April 1, 2014.
Pro forma results, as well as net revenues and net earnings for Green Smoke subsequent to the acquisition, have not been presented because the acquisition of Green Smoke is not material to Altria Group, Inc.’s consolidated results of operations.
The purchase price allocation has been completed, and there were no changes subsequent to the acquisition date.
Note 3. Benefit Plans:
Subsidiaries of Altria Group, Inc. sponsor noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of all employees of Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. However, employees hired on or after a date specific to their employee group are not eligible to participate in these noncontributory defined benefit pension plans but are instead eligible to participate in a defined contribution plan with enhanced benefits. This transition for new hires occurred from October 1, 2006 to January 1, 2008. In addition, effective January 1, 2010, certain employees of UST’s subsidiaries and Middleton who were participants in noncontributory defined benefit pension plans ceased to earn additional benefit service under those plans and became eligible to participate in a defined contribution plan with enhanced benefits. Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries also provide health care and other benefits to the majority of retired employees.
Pension Plans
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Net periodic pension cost consisted of the following:

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Service cost |  | $ | 21 |  |  | $ | 17 |
Interest cost |  | 84 |  |  | 86 |
Expected return on plan assets |  | (135 | ) |  | (130 | )
Amortization: |  |  |  |
Net loss |  | 59 |  |  | 38 |
Prior service cost |  | 2 |  |  | 3 |
Net periodic pension cost |  | $ | 31 |  |  | $ | 14 |

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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Employer Contributions
Altria Group, Inc. makes contributions to the pension plans to the extent that the contributions are tax deductible and pays benefits that relate to plans for salaried employees that cannot be funded under Internal Revenue Service regulations. Employer contributions of $4 million were made to Altria Group, Inc.’s pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Currently, Altria Group, Inc. anticipates making additional employer contributions to its pension plans during the remainder of 2015 of approximately $15 million to $45 million, based on current tax law. However, this estimate is subject to change as a result of changes in tax and other benefit laws, as well as asset performance significantly above or below the assumed long-term rate of return on pension assets, or changes in interest rates.
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net postretirement health care costs consisted of the following:

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Service cost |  | $ | 4 |  |  | $ | 4 |
Interest cost |  | 26 |  |  | 27 |
Amortization: |  |  |  |
Net loss |  | 12 |  |  | 7 |
Prior service credit |  | (10 | ) |  | (11 | )
Net postretirement health care costs |  | $ | 32 |  |  | $ | 27 |

Note 4. Earnings Per Share:
Basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) were calculated using the following:

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Net earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | $ | 1,018 |  |  | $ | 1,175 |
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings attributable to unvested restricted shares and restricted stock units (also known as deferred stock) |  | (2 | ) |  | (3 | )
Earnings for basic and diluted EPS |  | $ | 1,016 |  |  | $ | 1,172 |
Weighted-average shares for basic and diluted EPS |  | 1,966 |  |  | 1,986 |

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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 5. Other Comprehensive Earnings/Losses:
The following tables set forth the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive losses, net of deferred income taxes, attributable to Altria Group, Inc.:

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
|  | Currency Translation Adjustments |  | Benefit Plans |  | SABMiller |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses
|  | (in millions)
Balances, December 31, 2014 |  | $ | (2 | ) |  | $ | (2,040 | ) |  | $ | (640 | ) |  | $ | (2,682 | )
Other comprehensive losses before reclassifications |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | (471 | ) |  | (472 | )
Deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 164 |  |  | 164 |
Other comprehensive losses before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes |  | (1 | ) |  | — |  |  | (307 | ) |  | (308 | )
Amounts reclassified to net earnings |  | — |  |  | 68 |  |  | 4 |  |  | 72 |
Deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | (26 | ) |  | (1 | ) |  | (27 | )
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | 42 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 45 |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings, net of deferred income taxes |  | (1 | ) |  | 42 |  |  | (304 | ) | (1) | (263 | )
Balances, March 31, 2015 |  | $ | (3 | ) |  | $ | (1,998 | ) |  | $ | (944 | ) |  | $ | (2,945 | )

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
|  | Currency Translation Adjustments |  | Benefit Plans |  | SABMiller |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses
|  | (in millions)
Balances, December 31, 2013 |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (1,273 | ) |  | $ | (105 | ) |  | $ | (1,378 | )
Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 51 |  |  | 51 |
Deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (18 | ) |  | (18 | )
Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 33 |  |  | 33 |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings |  | — |  |  | 41 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 44 |
Deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | (16 | ) |  | (1 | ) |  | (17 | )
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | 25 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 27 |
Other comprehensive earnings, net of deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | 25 |  |  | 35 |  | (1) | 60 |
Balances, March 31, 2014 |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (1,248 | ) |  | $ | (70 | ) |  | $ | (1,318 | )

(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, Altria Group, Inc.’s proportionate share of SABMiller’s other comprehensive earnings/losses consisted primarily of currency translation adjustments.
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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The following table sets forth pre-tax amounts by component, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive losses to net earnings:

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Benefit Plans: (1) |  |  |  |
Net loss |  | $ | 76 |  |  | $ | 49 |
Prior service cost/credit |  | (8 | ) |  | (8 | )
|  | 68 |  |  | 41 |
SABMiller (2) |  | 4 |  |  | 3 |
Pre-tax amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive losses to net earnings |  | $ | 72 |  |  | $ | 44 |

(1) Amounts are included in net defined benefit plan costs. For further details, see Note 3. Benefit Plans.
(2) Amounts are included in earnings from equity investment in SABMiller.
Note 6. Segment Reporting:
The products of Altria Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries include smokeable products comprised of cigarettes manufactured and sold by PM USA and machine-made large cigars and pipe tobacco manufactured and sold by Middleton; smokeless products, substantially all of which are manufactured and sold by USSTC; and wine produced and/or distributed by Ste. Michelle. The products and services of these subsidiaries constitute Altria Group, Inc.’s reportable segments of smokeable products, smokeless products and wine. The financial services and the innovative tobacco products businesses are included in all other.
Altria Group, Inc.’s chief operating decision maker reviews operating companies income to evaluate the performance of, and allocate resources to, the segments. Operating companies income for the segments is defined as operating income before amortization of intangibles and general corporate expenses. Interest and other debt expense, net, and provision for income taxes are centrally managed at the corporate level and, accordingly, such items are not presented by segment since they are excluded from the measure of segment profitability reviewed by Altria Group, Inc.’s chief operating decision maker.
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Segment data were as follows:

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Net revenues: |  |  |  |
Smokeable products |  | $ | 5,221 |  |  | $ | 4,958 |
Smokeless products |  | 430 |  |  | 415 |
Wine |  | 134 |  |  | 129 |
All other |  | 19 |  |  | 15 |
Net revenues |  | $ | 5,804 |  |  | $ | 5,517 |
Earnings before income taxes: |  |  |  |
Operating companies income (loss): |  |  |  |
Smokeable products |  | $ | 1,686 |  |  | $ | 1,531 |
Smokeless products |  | 251 |  |  | 239 |
Wine |  | 27 |  |  | 22 |
All other |  | (41 | ) |  | (1 | )
Amortization of intangibles |  | (5 | ) |  | (5 | )
General corporate expenses |  | (53 | ) |  | (52 | )
Operating income |  | 1,865 |  |  | 1,734 |
Interest and other debt expense, net |  | (209 | ) |  | (153 | )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |  | (228 | ) |  | — |
Earnings from equity investment in SABMiller |  | 134 |  |  | 225 |
Earnings before income taxes |  | $ | 1,562 |  |  | $ | 1,806 |

The comparability of operating companies income for the reportable segments was affected by the following:
Tobacco and Health Litigation Items - For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, pre-tax charges related to certain tobacco and health litigation items were recorded in Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated statements of earnings as follows:

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Smokeable products segment |  | $ | 43 |  |  | $ | 3 |
Interest and other debt expense, net |  | — |  |  | 1 |
Total |  | $ | 43 |  |  | $ | 4 |

During the first quarter of 2015, PM USA and certain other cigarette manufacturers reached a tentative agreement to resolve approximately 415 pending federal Engle progeny cases. As a result of the tentative agreement, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, PM USA recorded a pre-tax provision of approximately $43 million in marketing, administration and research costs. For further discussion, see Smoking and Health Litigation - Tentative Agreement to Resolve Federal Engle Progeny Cases in Note 9. Contingencies.
Note 7. Finance Assets, net:
In 2003, PMCC ceased making new investments and began focusing exclusively on managing its portfolio of finance assets in order to maximize its operating results and cash flows from its existing lease portfolio activities and asset sales. Accordingly, PMCC’s operating companies income will fluctuate over time as investments mature or are sold.
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At March 31, 2015, finance assets, net, of $1,360 million were comprised of investments in finance leases of $1,402 million, reduced by the allowance for losses of $42 million. At December 31, 2014, finance assets, net, of $1,614 million were comprised of investments in finance leases of $1,656 million, reduced by the allowance for losses of $42 million.
PMCC assesses the adequacy of its allowance for losses relative to the credit risk of its leasing portfolio on an ongoing basis. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, PMCC determined that its allowance for losses exceeded the amount required based on management’s assessment of the credit quality and size of PMCC’s leasing portfolio. As a result, for the three months ended March 31, 2014, PMCC reduced its allowance for losses by $10 million. This decrease to the allowance for losses was recorded as a reduction to marketing, administration and research costs on Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated statement of earnings. PMCC believes that, as of March 31, 2015, the allowance for losses of $42 million was adequate. PMCC continues to monitor economic and credit conditions, and the individual situations of its lessees and their respective industries, and may increase or decrease its allowance for losses if such conditions change in the future.
The activity in the allowance for losses on finance assets for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Balance at beginning of the year |  | $ | 42 |  |  | $ | 52 |
Decrease to allowance |  | — |  |  | (10 | )
Balance at March 31 |  | $ | 42 |  |  | $ | 42 |

All PMCC lessees were current on their lease payment obligations as of March 31, 2015.
The credit quality of PMCC’s investments in finance leases as assigned by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“Standard & Poor’s”) and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:

|  | March 31, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
|  | (in millions)
Credit Rating by Standard & Poor’s/Moody’s: |  |  |  |
“AAA/Aaa” to “A-/A3” |  | $ | 260 |  |  | $ | 417 |
“BBB+/Baa1” to “BBB-/Baa3” |  | 750 |  |  | 833 |
“BB+/Ba1” and Lower |  | 392 |  |  | 406 |
Total |  | $ | 1,402 |  |  | $ | 1,656 |

Note 8. Debt:
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Altria Group, Inc. had no short-term borrowings.
Long-term Debt
During the first quarter of 2015, Altria Group, Inc. completed a debt tender offer to purchase for cash $793 million aggregate principal amount of its senior unsecured 9.700% notes due 2018. As a result of the debt tender offer, during the first quarter of 2015, Altria Group, Inc. recorded a pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt of $228 million, which included premiums and fees of $226 million and the write-off of the related unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs of $2 million.
Altria Group, Inc.’s estimate of the fair value of its debt is based on observable market information derived from a third party pricing source and is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The aggregate fair value of Altria Group, Inc.’s total long-term debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, was $16.2 billion and $17.0 billion, respectively, as compared with its carrying value of $13.9 billion and $14.7 billion, respectively.
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Note 9. Contingencies:
Legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters are pending or threatened in various United States and foreign jurisdictions against Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including PM USA and UST and its subsidiaries, as well as their respective indemnitees. Various types of claims may be raised in these proceedings, including product liability, consumer protection, antitrust, tax, contraband shipments, patent infringement, employment matters, claims for contribution and claims of competitors or distributors.
Litigation is subject to uncertainty and it is possible that there could be adverse developments in pending or future cases. An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending tobacco-related or other litigation could encourage the commencement of additional litigation. Damages claimed in some tobacco-related and other litigation are or can be significant and, in certain cases, range in the billions of dollars. The variability in pleadings in multiple jurisdictions, together with the actual experience of management in litigating claims, demonstrate that the monetary relief that may be specified in a lawsuit bears little relevance to the ultimate outcome. In certain cases, plaintiffs claim that defendants’ liability is joint and several. In such cases, Altria Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries may face the risk that one or more co-defendants decline or otherwise fail to participate in the bonding required for an appeal or to pay their proportionate or jury-allocated share of a judgment. As a result, Altria Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries under certain circumstances may have to pay more than their proportionate share of any bonding- or judgment-related amounts. Furthermore, in those cases where plaintiffs are successful, Altria Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries may also be required to pay interest and attorneys’ fees.
Although PM USA has historically been able to obtain required bonds or relief from bonding requirements in order to prevent plaintiffs from seeking to collect judgments while adverse verdicts have been appealed, there remains a risk that such relief may not be obtainable in all cases. This risk has been substantially reduced given that 46 states and Puerto Rico limit the dollar amount of bonds or require no bond at all. As discussed below, however, tobacco litigation plaintiffs have challenged the constitutionality of Florida’s bond cap statute in several cases and plaintiffs may challenge state bond cap statutes in other jurisdictions as well. Such challenges may include the applicability of state bond caps in federal court. Although Altria Group, Inc. cannot predict the outcome of such challenges, it is possible that the consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc., or one or more of its subsidiaries, could be materially affected in a particular fiscal quarter or fiscal year by an unfavorable outcome of one or more such challenges.
Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries record provisions in the condensed consolidated financial statements for pending litigation when they determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. At the present time, while it is reasonably possible that an unfavorable outcome in a case may occur, except to the extent discussed elsewhere in this Note 9. Contingencies: (i) management has concluded that it is not probable that a loss has been incurred in any of the pending tobacco-related cases; (ii) management is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome in any of the pending tobacco-related cases; and (iii) accordingly, management has not provided any amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements for unfavorable outcomes, if any. Litigation defense costs are expensed as incurred.
Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries have achieved substantial success in managing litigation. Nevertheless, litigation is subject to uncertainty and significant challenges remain. It is possible that the consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc., or one or more of its subsidiaries, could be materially affected in a particular fiscal quarter or fiscal year by an unfavorable outcome or settlement of certain pending litigation. Altria Group, Inc. and each of its subsidiaries named as a defendant believe, and each has been so advised by counsel handling the respective cases, that it has valid defenses to the litigation pending against it, as well as valid bases for appeal of adverse verdicts. Each of the companies has defended, and will continue to defend, vigorously against litigation challenges. However, Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries may enter into settlement discussions in particular cases if they believe it is in the best interests of Altria Group, Inc. to do so.
Overview of Altria Group, Inc. and/or PM USA Tobacco-Related Litigation
Types and Number of Cases
Claims related to tobacco products generally fall within the following categories: (i) smoking and health cases alleging personal injury brought on behalf of individual plaintiffs; (ii) smoking and health cases primarily alleging personal injury or seeking court-supervised programs for ongoing medical monitoring and purporting to be brought on behalf of a class
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of individual plaintiffs, including cases in which the aggregated claims of a number of individual plaintiffs are to be tried in a single proceeding; (iii) health care cost recovery cases brought by governmental (both domestic and foreign) plaintiffs seeking reimbursement for health care expenditures allegedly caused by cigarette smoking and/or disgorgement of profits; (iv) class action suits alleging that the uses of the terms “Lights” and “Ultra Lights” constitute deceptive and unfair trade practices, common law or statutory fraud, unjust enrichment, breach of warranty or violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”); and (v) other tobacco-related litigation described below. Plaintiffs’ theories of recovery and the defenses raised in pending smoking and health, health care cost recovery and “Lights/Ultra Lights” cases are discussed below.
The table below lists the number of certain tobacco-related cases pending in the United States against PM USA and, in some instances, Altria Group, Inc. as of April 20, 2015, April 21, 2014 and April 22, 2013.

Type of Case | Number of Cases Pending as of April 20, 2015 | Number of Cases Pending as of April 21, 2014 | Number of Cases Pending as of April 22, 2013
Individual Smoking and Health Cases (1) | 64 | 70 | 71
Smoking and Health Class Actions and Aggregated Claims Litigation (2) | 5 | 6 | 6
Health Care Cost Recovery Actions (3) | 1 | 1 | 1
“Lights/Ultra Lights” Class Actions | 12 | 15 | 15

(1) Does not include 2,546 cases brought by flight attendants seeking compensatory damages for personal injuries allegedly caused by exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (“ETS”). The flight attendants allege that they are members of an ETS smoking and health class action in Florida, which was settled in 1997 (Broin). The terms of the court-approved settlement in that case allow class members to file individual lawsuits seeking compensatory damages, but prohibit them from seeking punitive damages. Also, does not include individual smoking and health cases brought by or on behalf of plaintiffs in Florida state and federal courts following the decertification of the Engle case (discussed below in Smoking and Health Litigation - Engle Class Action).
(2) Includes as one case the 600 civil actions (of which 346 were actions against PM USA) that were to be tried in a single proceeding in West Virginia (In re: Tobacco Litigation). The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled that the United States Constitution did not preclude a trial in two phases in this case. Issues related to defendants’ conduct and whether punitive damages are permissible were tried in the first phase. Trial in the first phase of this case began in April 2013. In May 2013, the jury returned a verdict in favor of defendants on the claims for design defect, negligence, failure to warn, breach of warranty, and concealment and declined to find that the defendants’ conduct warranted punitive damages. Plaintiffs prevailed on their claim that ventilated filter cigarettes should have included use instructions for the period 1964 - 1969. The second phase, if any, will consist of individual trials to determine liability and compensatory damages on that claim only. In August 2013, the trial court denied all post-trial motions. The trial court entered final judgment in October 2013 and, in November 2013, plaintiffs filed their notice of appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. In November 2014, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals affirmed the final judgment. Plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, which the court denied on January 8, 2015. On April 3, 2015, plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court.
(3) See Health Care Cost Recovery Litigation - Federal Government’s Lawsuit below.
International Tobacco-Related Cases
As of April 20, 2015, PM USA is a named defendant in ten health care cost recovery actions in Canada, eight of which also name Altria Group, Inc. as a defendant. PM USA and Altria Group, Inc. are also named defendants in seven smoking and health class actions filed in various Canadian provinces. See Guarantees and Other Similar Matters below for a discussion of the Distribution Agreement between Altria Group, Inc. and Philip Morris International Inc. (“PMI”) that provides for indemnities for certain liabilities concerning tobacco products.
Tobacco-Related Cases Set for Trial
As of April 20, 2015, 29 Engle progeny cases and two individual smoking and health cases against PM USA are set for trial in 2015. Cases against other companies in the tobacco industry are also scheduled for trial in 2015. Trial dates are subject to change.
Trial Results
Since January 1999, excluding the Engle progeny cases (separately discussed below), verdicts have been returned in 56 smoking and health, “Lights/Ultra Lights” and health care cost recovery cases in which PM USA was a defendant.
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Verdicts in favor of PM USA and other defendants were returned in 38 of the 56 cases. These 38 cases were tried in Alaska (1), California (6), Florida (10), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Mississippi (1), Missouri (3), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (1), New York (5), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (1), Rhode Island (1), Tennessee (2) and West Virginia (2). A motion for a new trial was granted in one of the cases in Florida and in the case in Alaska. In the Alaska case (Hunter), the trial court withdrew its order for a new trial upon PM USA’s motion for reconsideration. Oral argument of plaintiff’s appeal of this ruling occurred in September 2014. See Types and Number of Cases above for a discussion of the trial results in In re: Tobacco Litigation (West Virginia consolidated cases).
Of the 18 non-Engle progeny cases in which verdicts were returned in favor of plaintiffs, 15 have reached final resolution. A verdict against defendants in one health care cost recovery case (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) was reversed and all claims were dismissed with prejudice. In addition, a verdict against defendants in a purported “Lights” class action in Illinois (Price) was reversed and the case was dismissed with prejudice in December 2006, but plaintiff is seeking to reinstate the verdict, which an intermediate appellate court ordered in April 2014. PM USA filed a petition for leave to appeal, which automatically stayed the April 2014 order. In September 2014, the Illinois Supreme Court granted PM USA’s motion for leave to appeal. See “Lights/Ultra Lights” Cases - The Price Case below for a discussion of developments in Price.
As of April 20, 2015, 77 state and federal Engle progeny cases involving PM USA have resulted in verdicts since the Florida Supreme Court’s Engle decision. Forty-one verdicts were returned in favor of plaintiffs and 36 verdicts were returned in favor of PM USA. See Smoking and Health Litigation - Engle Progeny Trial Court Results below for a discussion of these verdicts.
Judgments Paid and Provisions for Tobacco and Health Litigation Items (Including Engle Progeny Litigation)
After exhausting all appeals in those cases resulting in adverse verdicts associated with tobacco-related litigation, since October 2004, PM USA has paid in the aggregate judgments (and related costs and fees) totaling approximately $271 million and interest totaling approximately $144 million as of April 20, 2015. These amounts include payments for Engle progeny judgments (and related costs and fees) totaling approximately $13.8 million and interest totaling approximately $2.5 million.
The changes in Altria Group, Inc.’s accrued liability for tobacco and health litigation items, including related interest costs, for the periods specified below were as follows:

| For the Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2015 |  | 2014
| (in millions)
Accrued liability for tobacco and health litigation items at beginning of period | $ | 39 |  |  | $ | 3 |
Pre-tax charges for: |  |  |
Tobacco and health judgments | — |  |  | 3 |
Related interest costs | — |  |  | 1 |
Tentative agreement to resolve federal Engle progeny cases | 43 |  |  | — |
Payments | (5 | ) |  | — |
Accrued liability for tobacco and health litigation items at end of period | $ | 77 |  |  | $ | 7 |

The accrued liability for tobacco and health litigation items, including related interest costs, was included in liabilities on Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Pre-tax charges for tobacco and health judgments and the tentative agreement to resolve federal Engle progeny cases (discussed below under “Tentative Agreement to Resolve Federal Engle Progeny Cases”) were included in marketing, administration and research costs on Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated statements of earnings. Pre-tax charges for related interest costs were included in interest and other debt expense, net on Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated statements of earnings.
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Security for Judgments
To obtain stays of judgments pending current appeals, as of March 31, 2015, PM USA has posted various forms of security totaling approximately $59 million, the majority of which has been collateralized with cash deposits that are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Smoking and Health Litigation
Overview
Plaintiffs’ allegations of liability in smoking and health cases are based on various theories of recovery, including negligence, gross negligence, strict liability, fraud, misrepresentation, design defect, failure to warn, nuisance, breach of express and implied warranties, breach of special duty, conspiracy, concert of action, violations of deceptive trade practice laws and consumer protection statutes, and claims under the federal and state anti-racketeering statutes. Plaintiffs in the smoking and health cases seek various forms of relief, including compensatory and punitive damages, treble/multiple damages and other statutory damages and penalties, creation of medical monitoring and smoking cessation funds, disgorgement of profits, and injunctive and equitable relief. Defenses raised in these cases include lack of proximate cause, assumption of the risk, comparative fault and/or contributory negligence, statutes of limitations and preemption by the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act.
Non-Engle Progeny Trial Results
Summarized below are the non-Engle progeny smoking and health cases pending during 2015 in which verdicts were returned in favor of plaintiffs and against PM USA. Charts listing the verdicts for plaintiffs in the Engle progeny cases can be found in Smoking and Health Litigation - Engle Progeny Trial Court Results below.
Schwarz: In March 2002, an Oregon jury awarded $168,500 in compensatory damages and $150 million in punitive damages against PM USA. In May 2002, the trial court reduced the punitive damages award to $100 million. In May 2006, the Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed the compensatory damages verdict, reversed the award of punitive damages and remanded the case to the trial court for a second trial to determine the amount of punitive damages, if any. In June 2006, plaintiff petitioned the Oregon Supreme Court to review the portion of the court of appeals’ decision reversing and remanding the case for a new trial on punitive damages. In June 2010, the Oregon Supreme Court affirmed the court of appeals’ decision and remanded the case to the trial court for a new trial limited to the question of punitive damages. In December 2010, the Oregon Supreme Court reaffirmed its earlier ruling and awarded PM USA approximately $500,000 in costs. In March 2011, PM USA filed a claim against the plaintiff for its costs and disbursements on appeal, plus interest. Trial on the amount of punitive damages began in January 2012. In February 2012, the jury awarded plaintiff $25 million in punitive damages. In September 2012, PM USA filed a notice of appeal from the trial court’s judgment with the Oregon Court of Appeals. Oral argument at the Oregon Court of Appeals occurred in September 2014.
See Health Care Cost Recovery Litigation - Federal Government’s Lawsuit below for a discussion of the verdict and post-trial developments in the United States of America healthcare cost recovery case.
Engle Class Action
In July 2000, in the second phase of the Engle smoking and health class action in Florida, a jury returned a verdict assessing punitive damages totaling approximately $145 billion against various defendants, including $74 billion against PM USA. Following entry of judgment, PM USA appealed.
In May 2001, the trial court approved a stipulation providing that execution of the punitive damages component of the Engle judgment will remain stayed against PM USA and the other participating defendants through the completion of all judicial review. As a result of the stipulation, PM USA placed $500 million into an interest-bearing escrow account that, regardless of the outcome of the judicial review, was to be paid to the court and the court was to determine how to allocate or distribute it consistent with Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. In May 2003, the Florida Third District Court of Appeal reversed the judgment entered by the trial court and instructed the trial court to order the decertification of the class. Plaintiffs petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for further review.
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In July 2006, the Florida Supreme Court ordered that the punitive damages award be vacated, that the class approved by the trial court be decertified and that members of the decertified class could file individual actions against defendants within one year of issuance of the mandate. The court further declared the following Phase I findings are entitled to res judicata effect in such individual actions brought within one year of the issuance of the mandate: (i) that smoking causes various diseases; (ii) that nicotine in cigarettes is addictive; (iii) that defendants’ cigarettes were defective and unreasonably dangerous; (iv) that defendants concealed or omitted material information not otherwise known or available knowing that the material was false or misleading or failed to disclose a material fact concerning the health effects or addictive nature of smoking; (v) that defendants agreed to misrepresent information regarding the health effects or addictive nature of cigarettes with the intention of causing the public to rely on this information to their detriment; (vi) that defendants agreed to conceal or omit information regarding the health effects of cigarettes or their addictive nature with the intention that smokers would rely on the information to their detriment; (vii) that all defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that were defective; and (viii) that defendants were negligent. The court also reinstated compensatory damages awards totaling approximately $6.9 million to two individual plaintiffs and found that a third plaintiff’s claim was barred by the statute of limitations. In February 2008, PM USA paid approximately $3 million, representing its share of compensatory damages and interest, to the two individual plaintiffs identified in the Florida Supreme Court’s order.
In August 2006, PM USA sought rehearing from the Florida Supreme Court on parts of its July 2006 opinion, including the ruling (described above) that certain jury findings have res judicata effect in subsequent individual trials timely brought by Engle class members. The rehearing motion also asked, among other things, that legal errors that were raised but not expressly ruled upon in the Florida Third District Court of Appeal or in the Florida Supreme Court now be addressed. Plaintiffs also filed a motion for rehearing in August 2006 seeking clarification of the applicability of the statute of limitations to non-members of the decertified class. In December 2006, the Florida Supreme Court refused to revise its July 2006 ruling, except that it revised the set of Phase I findings entitled to res judicata effect by excluding finding (v) listed above (relating to agreement to misrepresent information), and added the finding that defendants sold or supplied cigarettes that, at the time of sale or supply, did not conform to the representations of fact made by defendants. In January 2007, the Florida Supreme Court issued the mandate from its revised opinion. Defendants then filed a motion with the Florida Third District Court of Appeal requesting that the court address legal errors that were previously raised by defendants but have not yet been addressed either by the Florida Third District Court of Appeal or by the Florida Supreme Court. In February 2007, the Florida Third District Court of Appeal denied defendants’ motion. In May 2007, defendants’ motion for a partial stay of the mandate pending the completion of appellate review was denied by the Florida Third District Court of Appeal. In May 2007, defendants filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court. In October 2007, the United States Supreme Court denied defendants’ petition. In November 2007, the United States Supreme Court denied defendants’ petition for rehearing from the denial of their petition for writ of certiorari.
In February 2008, the trial court decertified the class, except for purposes of the May 2001 bond stipulation, and formally vacated the punitive damages award pursuant to the Florida Supreme Court’s mandate. In April 2008, the trial court ruled that certain defendants, including PM USA, lacked standing with respect to allocation of the funds escrowed under the May 2001 bond stipulation and would receive no credit at that time from the $500 million paid by PM USA against any future punitive damages awards in cases brought by former Engle class members.
In May 2008, the trial court, among other things, decertified the limited class maintained for purposes of the May 2001 bond stipulation and, in July 2008, severed the remaining plaintiffs’ claims except for those of Howard Engle. The only remaining plaintiff in the Engle case, Howard Engle, voluntarily dismissed his claims with prejudice.
Engle Progeny Cases
The deadline for filing Engle progeny cases, as required by the Florida Supreme Court’s Engle decision, expired in January 2008. As of April 20, 2015, approximately 3,125 state court cases were pending against PM USA or Altria Group, Inc. asserting individual claims by or on behalf of approximately 4,200 state court plaintiffs. Furthermore, as of April 20, 2015, approximately 435 cases were pending against PM USA in federal district court asserting individual claims by or on behalf of a similar number of federal court plaintiffs. Most of these federal cases are pending in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Moreover, most of these federal cases are subject to resolution pursuant to the agreement described below under Tentative Agreement to Resolve Federal Engle Progeny Cases. Because of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, docketing delays, duplicated filings and overlapping dismissal orders, these numbers are estimates.
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In July 2013, the district court issued an order transferring, for case management purposes, all the Middle District of Florida Engle progeny cases to a judge presiding in the District of Massachusetts. The order directed that the cases will remain in the Middle District of Florida and that such judge will be designated a judge of that district for purposes of managing the cases. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida dismissed a significant number of cases, of which approximately 750 were appealed by plaintiffs to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. In September 2014, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed those dismissals.
Tentative Agreement to Resolve Federal Engle Progeny Cases
On February 25, 2015, PM USA, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (“R.J. Reynolds”) and Lorillard Tobacco Company (“Lorillard”) reached a tentative agreement to resolve approximately 415 pending federal Engle progeny cases (the “Federal Engle Agreement”). Under the terms of the Federal Engle Agreement, PM USA paid into escrow approximately $43 million on March 11, 2015, which is included in other current assets on Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015. PM USA recorded a pre-tax provision of approximately $43 million in the first quarter of 2015. Federal cases that were in trial as of February 25, 2015 and those that have previously reached final verdict are not included in the Federal Engle Agreement. Engle progeny lawsuits pending in Florida state courts are also not part of the Federal Engle Agreement. The Federal Engle Agreement is conditioned on approval by all federal court plaintiffs in the cases resolved by the Federal Engle Agreement or as the parties otherwise agree. On February 25, 2015, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida issued an order staying all upcoming federal trials pending final approval of the Federal Engle Agreement.
Engle Progeny Trial Results
As of April 20, 2015, 77 federal and state Engle progeny cases involving PM USA have resulted in verdicts since the Florida Supreme Court Engle decision. Forty-one verdicts were returned in favor of plaintiffs.
Thirty-six verdicts were returned in favor of PM USA, of which 27 were state cases (Gelep, Kalyvas, Gil de Rubio, Warrick, Willis, Russo (formerly Frazier), C. Campbell, Rohr, Espinosa, Oliva, Weingart, Junious, Szymanski, Hancock, D. Cohen, LaMotte, J. Campbell, Dombey, Haldeman, Blasco, Gonzalez, Banks, Surico, Baum, Bishop, Vila, and McMannis) and 9 were federal cases (Gollihue, McCray, Denton, Wilder, Jacobson, Reider, Davis, Starbuck, and Sowers). In addition, there have been a number of mistrials, only some of which have resulted in new trials as of April 20, 2015. The juries in the Reider and Banks cases returned zero damages verdicts in favor of PM USA. The juries in the Weingart and Hancock cases returned verdicts against PM USA awarding no damages, but the trial court in each case granted an additur. In the Russo case (formerly Frazier), however, the Florida Third District Court of Appeal reversed the judgment in defendants’ favor in April 2012 and remanded the case for a new trial. Defendants sought review of the case in the Florida Supreme Court, which was granted in September 2013. On April 2, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the reversal, rejecting defendants’ argument that the statute of repose applies to fraud and conspiracy claims in Engle progeny cases. The case is currently being re-tried. On April 17, 2015, defendants moved for a rehearing in the Florida Supreme Court.
The charts below list the verdicts and post-trial developments in certain Engle progeny cases in which verdicts were returned in favor of plaintiffs (including Hancock, where the verdict originally was returned in favor of PM USA). The first chart lists such cases that are pending as of April 20, 2015; the second chart lists such cases that were pending within the previous 12 months, but that are now concluded.
Currently-Pending Cases
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Plaintiff: Gore
Date: March 2015
Verdict:
On March 26, 2015, an Indian River County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds, awarding $2 million in compensatory damages and allocating 23% of the fault to PM USA.
Post-Trial Developments:
On April 10, 2015, defendants filed post-trial motions, including motions to set aside the verdict and for a new trial.
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Plaintiff: Pollari
Date: March 2015
Verdict:
On March 25, 2015, a Broward County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds, awarding $10 million in compensatory damages (to be divided equally between the defendants) and $1.5 million in punitive damages against each defendant.
Post-Trial Developments:
On April 7, 2015, PM USA filed post-trial motions, including motions to set aside the verdict and for a new trial.
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Plaintiff: Zamboni
Date: February 2015
Verdict:
On February 26, 2015, a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds awarding $340,000 in compensatory damages and allocating 10% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of $34,000).
Post-Trial Developments:
On April 15, 2015, PM USA and R.J. Reynolds filed a motion for judgment in defendants’ favor in accordance with the Eleventh Circuit’s decision in Graham.
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Plaintiff: Caprio
Date: February 2015
Verdict:
On February 24, 2015, a Broward County jury returned a partial verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA, R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard and Liggett Group LLC (“Liggett Group”). The jury found against defendants on class membership, allocating 25% of the fault to PM USA. The jury also found $559,172 in economic damages. The jury deadlocked with respect to the intentional torts, certain elements of compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Post-Trial Developments:
On March 11, 2015, PM USA filed post-trial motions, including motions to set aside the partial verdict and for a new trial.
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Plaintiff: McKeever
Date: February 2015
Verdict:
On February 20, 2015, a Broward County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA, awarding approximately $5.8 million in compensatory damages and allocating 60% of the fault to PM USA. The jury also awarded plaintiff approximately $11.63 million in punitive damages. However, the jury found in favor of PM USA on the statute of repose defense to plaintiff’s intentional tort and punitive damages claims.
Post-Trial Developments:
On March 6, 2015, PM USA filed various post-trial motions, including motions to set aside the verdict and motions for a new trial. On April 2, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the statute of repose defense in the Hess and Russo cases and, on April 17, 2015, defendants moved for a rehearing.
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Plaintiff: Brown
Date: January 2015
Verdict:
On January 21, 2015, a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida returned a verdict against PM USA awarding plaintiff approximately $8.3 million in compensatory damages and $9 million in punitive damages.
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Post-Trial Developments:
On February 24, 2015, the trial court entered final judgment. On March 23, 2015, PM USA filed various post-trial motions, including motions to alter or amend the judgment and for a new trial or, in the alternative, remittitur of the damages awards.
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Plaintiff: Allen
Date: November 2014
Verdict:
A Duval County jury returned a verdict against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds awarding plaintiff approximately $3.1 million in compensatory damages and allocating 6% of the fault to PM USA. The jury also awarded approximately $7.76 million in punitive damages against each defendant. This was a retrial of a 2011 trial that awarded plaintiff $6 million in compensatory damages and $17 million in punitive damages against each defendant.
Post-Trial Developments:
In December 2014, defendants filed various post-trial motions, including motions to set aside the verdict and motions for a new trial.
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Plaintiff: Perrotto
Date: November 2014
Verdict:
A Palm Beach County jury returned a verdict against PM USA, R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard and Liggett Group awarding plaintiff approximately $4.1 million in compensatory damages and allocating 25% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of approximately $1.02 million).
Post-Trial Developments:
In December 2014, the court entered final judgment and plaintiff filed a motion for a new trial. In addition, in December 2014, defendants filed various post-trial motions, including motions to set aside the verdict and motions for a new trial.
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Plaintiff: Boatright
Date: November 2014
Verdict:
A Polk County jury returned a verdict against PM USA and Liggett Group awarding plaintiff $15 million in compensatory damages and allocating 85% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of $12.75 million). In addition, in November 2014, the jury awarded plaintiff approximately $19.7 million in punitive damages against PM USA and $300,000 in punitive damages against Liggett Group.
Post-Trial Developments:
In November 2014, PM USA filed various post-trial motions and, on January 20, 2015, the court denied PM USA’s motions for a new trial and for remittitur, but agreed to reduce the compensatory damages award by the jury’s assessment of comparative fault. On February 9, 2015, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, and, on February 10, 2015, PM USA posted a bond in the amount of $3.98 million.
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Plaintiff: Kerrivan
Date: October 2014
Verdict:
A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida returned a verdict against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds awarding plaintiff $15.8 million in compensatory damages and allocating 50% of the fault to PM USA. The jury also awarded plaintiff $25.3 million in punitive damages and allocated $15.7 million to PM USA.
Post-Trial Developments:
The trial court entered final judgment awarding plaintiff $15.8 million in compensatory damages and $25.3 million in punitive damages. In December 2014, defendants filed various post-trial motions, including a renewed motion for judgment
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or for a new trial. Plaintiff agreed to waive the bond for the appeal.
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Plaintiff: Lourie
Date: October 2014
Verdict:
A Hillsborough County jury returned a verdict against PM USA, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard awarding plaintiff approximately $1.37 million in compensatory damages and allocating 27% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of approximately $370,000).
Post-Trial Developments:
In October 2014, defendants filed a motion for judgment and a motion for a new trial. In November 2014, the court denied defendants’ post-trial motions and entered final judgment. Later in November 2014, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, and PM USA posted a bond in the amount of $370,318.
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Plaintiff: Berger
Date: September 2014
Verdict:
A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida returned a verdict against PM USA awarding plaintiff $6.25 million in compensatory damages and $20.76 million in punitive damages.
Post-Trial Developments:
The court entered final judgment against PM USA in September 2014. In October 2014, the court entered an order scheduling post-trial motions and confirming that plaintiff agreed to waive bond for appeal. Also in October 2014, PM USA filed a motion for a new trial or, in the alternative, remittitur of the jury’s damages awards.
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Plaintiff: Harris
Date: July 2014
Verdict:
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard awarding approximately $1.73 million in compensatory damages and allocating 15% of the fault to PM USA.
Post-Trial Developments:
Defendants filed motions for a defense verdict because the jury’s findings indicated that plaintiff was not a member of the Engle class. In December 2014, the court entered final judgment in favor of plaintiff and, on January 15, 2015, defendants filed a renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law or, in the alternative, a motion for a new trial. Defendants also filed a motion to alter or amend the final judgment.
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Plaintiff: Griffin
Date: June 2014
Verdict:
A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA awarding approximately $1.27 million in compensatory damages and allocating 50% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of approximately $630,000).
Post-Trial Developments:
The court entered final judgment against PM USA in July 2014. In August 2014, PM USA filed a motion to amend the judgment to reduce plaintiff’s damages by the amount paid by collateral sources, which the court denied in September 2014. In October 2014, PM USA posted a bond in the amount of $640,543 and filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
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Plaintiff: Burkhart
Date: May 2014
Verdict:
A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard awarding $5 million in compensatory damages and allocating fault among the defendants as follows: 15% to PM USA, 25% to R.J. Reynolds and 10% to Lorillard. The court declined defendants’ request to reduce the compensatory damages award by the jury’s assessment of comparative fault, imposing joint and several liability. The jury also awarded plaintiff $2.5 million in punitive damages, allocating $750,000 to PM USA.
Post-Trial Developments:
In July 2014, defendants filed post-trial motions, including a renewed motion for judgment or, alternatively, for a new trial or remittitur of the damages awards, which the court denied in September 2014. In October 2014, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
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Plaintiff: Bowden
Date: March 2014
Verdict:
A Duval County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds. The jury awarded plaintiff $5 million in compensatory damages and allocated 30% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of $1.5 million).
Post-Trial Developments:
The court entered final judgment against defendants in March 2014. In April 2014, defendants filed post-trial motions, including motions for a new trial and to set aside the verdict. In May 2014, the court denied defendants’ post-trial motions. In June 2014, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Florida First District Court of Appeal, and PM USA posted a bond in the amount of $1.5 million.
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Plaintiff: Goveia
Date: February 2014
Verdict:
An Orange County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds. The jury awarded $850,000 in compensatory damages and allocated 35% of the fault against each defendant (an amount of $297,500). The jury also awarded $2.25 million in punitive damages against each defendant.
Post-Trial Developments:
In February 2014, defendants filed post-trial motions, including motions to set aside the verdict and for a new trial. In April 2014, the court denied defendants’ motions and entered final judgment against defendants. In April 2014, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal. In May 2014, PM USA posted a bond in the amount of $2.5 million.
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Plaintiff: Cuculino
Date: January 2014
Verdict:
A Miami-Dade County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA. The jury awarded plaintiff $12.5 million in compensatory damages and allocated 40% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of $5 million).
Post-Trial Developments:
In January 2014, the court entered final judgment against PM USA, and PM USA filed post-trial motions, including motions to set aside the verdict and for a new trial. In March 2014 and April 2014, the court denied PM USA’s post-trial motions. Also in April 2014, PM USA filed a notice of appeal to the Florida Third District Court of Appeal, plaintiff cross-appealed and PM USA posted a bond in the amount of $5 million.
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Plaintiff: Rizzuto
Date: August 2013
Verdict:
A Hernando County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and Liggett Group. The jury awarded plaintiff $12.55 million in compensatory damages.
Post-Trial Developments:
In September 2013, defendants filed post-trial motions, including a motion to reduce damages. In September 2013, the court granted a remittitur in part on economic damages, which the court reduced from $2.55 million to $1.1 million for a total award of $11.1 million in compensatory damages. The court declined defendants’ request to reduce the compensatory damages award by the jury’s assessment of comparative fault, imposing joint and several liability for the compensatory damages. The court denied all other motions except for defendants’ motion for a juror interview, which was granted. In October 2013, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal, which ordered resolution of the juror issue prior to appeal. In December 2013, subsequent to the juror interview, the court entered an order that granted no relief with respect to the alleged misconduct of the juror. Plaintiff agreed to waive the bond for the appeal.
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Plaintiff: Skolnick
Date: June 2013
Verdict:
A Palm Beach County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds. The jury awarded plaintiff $2.555 million in compensatory damages and allocated 30% of the fault to each defendant (an amount of $766,500).
Post-Trial Developments:
In June 2013, defendants and plaintiff filed post-trial motions. The court entered final judgment against defendants in July 2013. In November 2013, the trial court denied plaintiff’s post-trial motion and, in December 2013, denied defendants’ post-trial motions. Defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal, and plaintiffs cross-appealed in December 2013. Also in December 2013, PM USA posted a bond in the amount of $766,500.
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Plaintiff: Starr-Blundell
Date: June 2013
Verdict:
A Duval County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds. The jury awarded plaintiff $500,000 in compensatory damages and allocated 10% of the fault to each defendant (an amount of $50,000).
Post-Trial Developments:
In June 2013, the defendants filed a motion to set aside the verdict and to enter judgment in accordance with their motion for directed verdict or, in the alternative, for a new trial, which was denied in October 2013. In November 2013, final judgment was entered in favor of plaintiff affirming the compensatory damages award. In December 2013, plaintiff filed a notice of appeal to the Florida First District Court of Appeal. Plaintiff agreed to waive the bond for the appeal.
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Plaintiff: Ruffo
Date: May 2013
Verdict:
A Miami-Dade County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and Lorillard. The jury awarded plaintiff $1.5 million in compensatory damages and allocated 12% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of $180,000).
Post-Trial Developments:
In May 2013, defendants filed several post-trial motions, including motions for a new trial and to set aside the verdict, which the trial court denied in October 2013 and entered final judgment in favor of plaintiff. In October 2013, PM USA and Lorillard appealed to the Florida Third District Court of Appeal, and PM USA posted a bond in the amount of $180,000. In November 2014, the Florida Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the final judgment and, in the fourth quarter of 2014, PM USA recorded a provision on its consolidated balance sheet of approximately $193,000 for the judgment plus interest.
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Plaintiff: Graham
Date: May 2013
Verdict:
A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds. The jury awarded $2.75 million in compensatory damages and allocated 10% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of $275,000).
Post-Trial Developments:
In June 2013, defendants filed several post-trial motions, including motions for judgment as a matter of law and for a new trial, which the trial court denied in September 2013. In October 2013, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and PM USA posted a bond in the amount of $277,750. On April 8, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit found in favor of defendants and reversed the trial court’s ruling.
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Plaintiff: Searcy
Date: April 2013
Verdict:
A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds. The jury awarded $6 million in compensatory damages (allocating 30% of the fault to each defendant) and $10 million in punitive damages against each defendant.
Post-Trial Developments:
In June 2013, the trial court entered final judgment declining defendants’ request to reduce the compensatory damages award by the jury’s assessment of comparative fault and imposing joint and several liability for the compensatory damages. In July 2013, defendants filed various post-trial motions, including motions requesting reductions in damages. In September 2013, the district court reduced the compensatory damages award to $1 million and the punitive damages award to $1.67 million against each defendant. The district court denied all other post-trial motions. Plaintiffs filed a motion to reconsider the district court’s remittitur and, in the alternative, to certify the issue to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, both of which the court denied in October 2013. In November 2013, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. In December 2013, defendants filed an amended notice of appeal after the district court corrected a clerical error in the final judgment, and PM USA posted a bond in the amount of approximately $2.2 million.
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Plaintiff: Buchanan
Date: December 2012
Verdict:
A Leon County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and Liggett Group. The jury awarded $5.5 million in compensatory damages and allocated 37% of the fault to each of the defendants (an amount of approximately $2 million).
Post-Trial Developments:
In December 2012, defendants filed several post-trial motions, including motions for a new trial and to set aside the verdict. In March 2013, the trial court denied all motions and entered final judgment against PM USA and Liggett Group refusing to reduce the compensatory damages award by plaintiff’s comparative fault and holding PM USA and Liggett Group jointly and severally liable for $5.5 million. In April 2013, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Florida First District Court of Appeal, and PM USA posted a bond in the amount of $2.5 million. In July 2014, the Florida First District Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment, but certified to the Florida Supreme Court the issue of the statute of repose, which was before the court in Hess. In August 2014, defendants filed a notice to invoke the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court. In September 2014, the Florida Supreme Court stayed the case pending the outcome of Hess. On April 2, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the statute of repose defense in Hess and, on April 17, 2015, PM USA moved for a rehearing.
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Plaintiff: Hancock
Date: August 2012
Verdict:
A Broward County jury returned a verdict in the amount of zero damages and allocated 5% of the fault to each of the defendants (PM USA and R.J. Reynolds). The trial court granted an additur of approximately $110,000, which is subject to the jury’s comparative fault finding.
Post-Trial Developments:
In August 2012, defendants moved to set aside the verdict and to enter judgment in accordance with their motion for directed verdict. Defendants also moved to reduce damages, which motion the court granted. The trial court granted defendants’ motion to set off the damages award by the amount of economic damages paid by third parties, which will reduce further any final award. In October 2012, the trial court entered final judgment. PM USA’s portion of the damages was approximately $700. In November 2012, both sides filed notices of appeal to the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal. On April 2, 2015, the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s verdict.
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Plaintiff: Calloway
Date: May 2012
Verdict:
A Broward County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA, R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard and Liggett Group. The jury awarded approximately $21 million in compensatory damages and allocated 25% of the fault against PM USA, but the trial court ruled that it will not apply the comparative fault allocations because the jury found against each defendant on the intentional tort claims. The jury also awarded approximately $17 million in punitive damages against PM USA, approximately $17 million in punitive damages against R.J. Reynolds, approximately $13 million in punitive damages against Lorillard and approximately $8 million in punitive damages against Liggett Group.
Post-Trial Developments:
In May and June 2012, defendants filed motions to set aside the verdict and for a new trial. In August 2012, the trial court denied the remaining post-trial motions and entered final judgment, reducing the total compensatory damages award to $16.1 million but leaving undisturbed the separate punitive damages awards. In September 2012, PM USA posted a bond in an amount of $1.5 million and defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal. In August 2013, plaintiff filed a motion to determine the sufficiency of the bond in the trial court on the ground that the bond cap statute is unconstitutional, which the court denied.
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Plaintiff: Hallgren
Date: January 2012
Verdict:
A Highland County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds. The jury awarded approximately $2 million in compensatory damages and allocated 25% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of approximately $500,000). The jury also awarded $750,000 in punitive damages against each of the defendants.
Post-Trial Developments:
The trial court entered final judgment in March 2012. In April 2012, PM USA posted a bond in an amount of approximately $1.25 million. In May 2012, defendants filed a notice of appeal to the Florida Second District Court of Appeal. In October 2013, the Second District Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment. In November 2013, defendants filed a notice to invoke the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court. In June 2014, the Florida Supreme Court stayed the case pending the outcome of Russo (presenting the same statute of repose issue as Hess). On April 2, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the statute of repose defense in the Hess and Russo cases and, on April 17, 2015, defendants moved for a rehearing. On April 6, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court stayed the case pending the outcome of Soffer (presenting the issue of whether Engle progeny plaintiffs may seek punitive damages on their negligence and strict liability claims).
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Plaintiff: Kayton (formerly Tate)
Date: July 2010
Verdict:
A Broward County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA. The jury awarded $8 million in compensatory damages and allocated 64% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of approximately $5.1 million). The jury also awarded approximately $16.2 million in punitive damages against PM USA.
Post-Trial Developments:
In August 2010, the trial court entered final judgment, and PM USA filed its notice of appeal and posted a $5 million bond. In November 2012, the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed the punitive damages award and remanded the case for a new trial on plaintiff’s conspiracy claim. Upon retrial, if the jury finds in plaintiff’s favor on that claim, the original $16.2 million punitive damages award will be reinstated. PM USA filed a motion for rehearing, which was denied in January 2013. In January 2013, plaintiff and defendant each filed a notice to invoke the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court. In June 2013, the Florida Supreme Court stayed the appeal pending the outcome of Hess. On April 2, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the statute of repose defense in Hess and, on April 17, 2015, PM USA moved for a rehearing.
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Plaintiff: Putney
Date: April 2010
Verdict:
A Broward County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA, R.J. Reynolds and Liggett Group. The jury awarded approximately $15.1 million in compensatory damages and allocated 15% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of approximately $2.3 million). The jury also awarded $2.5 million in punitive damages against PM USA.
Post-Trial Developments:
In August 2010, the trial court entered final judgment. PM USA filed its notice of appeal to the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal and, in November 2010, posted a $1.6 million bond. In June 2013, the Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed and remanded the case for further proceedings, holding that the trial court erred in (1) not reducing the compensatory damages award as excessive and (2) not instructing the jury on the statute of repose in connection with plaintiff’s conspiracy claim that resulted in the $2.5 million punitive damages award. In July 2013, plaintiff filed a motion for rehearing, which the Fourth District Court of Appeal denied in August 2013. In September 2013, both parties filed notices to invoke the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court. In December 2013, the Florida Supreme Court stayed the appeal pending the outcome of the Hess case. On April 2, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the statute of repose defense in Hess and, on April 17, 2015, PM USA moved for a rehearing.
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Plaintiff: R. Cohen
Date: March 2010
Verdict:
A Broward County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds. The jury awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and allocated 33 1/3% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of approximately $3.3 million). The jury also awarded a total of $20 million in punitive damages, assessing separate $10 million awards against each defendant.
Post-Trial Developments:
In July 2010, the trial court entered final judgment and, in August 2010, PM USA filed its notice of appeal. In October 2010, PM USA posted a $2.5 million bond. In September 2012, the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the compensatory damages award but reversed and remanded the punitive damages verdict. The Fourth District returned the case to the trial court for a new jury trial on plaintiff’s fraudulent concealment claim. If the jury finds in plaintiff’s favor on that claim, the $10 million punitive damages award against each defendant will be reinstated. In January 2013, plaintiff and defendants each filed a notice to invoke the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court. In February 2013, the Fourth District granted defendants’ motion to stay the mandate. In March 2013, plaintiff filed a motion for review of the stay order with the Florida Supreme Court, which was denied in April 2013. In June 2013,
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plaintiff moved to consolidate with Hess and Kayton, which defendants did not oppose, but in October 2013, plaintiff withdrew the motion for consolidation. In February 2014, the Florida Supreme Court stayed the appeal pending the outcome of the Hess case. On April 2, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the statute of repose defense in Hess and, on April 17, 2015, PM USA moved for a rehearing.
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Plaintiff: Naugle
Date: November 2009
Verdict:
A Broward County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA. The jury awarded approximately $56.6 million in compensatory damages and $244 million in punitive damages. The jury allocated 90% of the fault to PM USA.
Post-Trial Developments:
In March 2010, the trial court entered final judgment reflecting a reduced award of approximately $13 million in compensatory damages and $26 million in punitive damages. In April 2010, PM USA filed its notice of appeal and posted a $5 million bond. In August 2010, upon the motion of PM USA, the trial court entered an amended final judgment of approximately $12.3 million in compensatory damages and approximately $24.5 million in punitive damages to correct a clerical error. In June 2012, the Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the amended final judgment. In July 2012, PM USA filed a motion for rehearing. In December 2012, the Fourth District withdrew its prior decision, reversed the verdict as to compensatory and punitive damages and returned the case to the trial court for a new trial on the question of damages. In December 2012, plaintiff filed a motion for rehearing en banc or for certification to the Florida Supreme Court, which was denied in January 2013. In February 2013, plaintiff and PM USA each filed a notice to invoke the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court, which the Florida Supreme Court denied in February 2014. Upon retrial on the question of damages, in October 2013, the new jury awarded approximately $3.7 million in compensatory damages and $7.5 million in punitive damages. In October 2013, PM USA filed post-trial motions, which the trial court denied in April 2014. In May 2014, PM USA filed a notice of appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeal and plaintiff cross-appealed. Also in May 2014, PM USA filed a rider with the Florida Supreme Court to make the previously-posted Naugle bond applicable to the retrial judgment.
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Plaintiff: Hess
Date: February 2009
Verdict:
A Broward County jury found in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA. The jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. In June 2009, the trial court entered final judgment and awarded plaintiff $1.26 million in actual damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The judgment reduced the jury’s $3 million award of compensatory damages due to the jury allocating 42% of the fault to PM USA.
Post-Trial Developments:
PM USA filed a notice of appeal to the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal in July 2009. In May 2012, the Fourth District reversed and vacated the punitive damages award on the basis that it was barred by the statute of repose and affirmed the judgment in all other respects, upholding the compensatory damages award of $1.26 million. In June 2012, both parties filed rehearing motions with the Fourth District, which were denied in September 2012. In October 2012, PM USA and plaintiff filed notices to invoke the Florida Supreme Court’s discretionary jurisdiction. In the first quarter of 2013, PM USA recorded a provision on its condensed consolidated balance sheet of approximately $3.2 million for the judgment plus interest and associated costs. In June 2013, the Florida Supreme Court accepted jurisdiction of plaintiff’s petition for review, but declined to accept jurisdiction of PM USA’s petition. On April 2, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the statute of repose defense and reinstated the punitive damages award against PM USA. On April 17, 2015, PM USA moved for a rehearing.
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Plaintiff: Landau
Date: February 2015
Verdict:
On February 19, 2015, a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard awarding $100,000 in compensatory damages. One defendant settled the case, which resolved all claims against all defendants, including PM USA.
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Plaintiff: Tullo
Date: April 2011
Verdict:
A Palm Beach County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA, Lorillard and Liggett Group. The jury awarded a total of $4.5 million in compensatory damages and allocated 45% of the fault to PM USA (an amount of $2.025 million).
Post-Trial Developments:
In April 2011, the trial court entered final judgment. In July 2011, PM USA filed its notice of appeal to the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal and posted a $2 million bond. In August 2013, the Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment. In October 2013, defendants filed a notice to invoke the discretionary jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court, which declined jurisdiction in September 2014. In the third quarter of 2014, PM USA recorded a provision on its condensed consolidated balance sheet of approximately $3.9 million for the judgment plus interest and associated costs and paid this amount in October 2014.
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Plaintiff: Barbanell
Date: August 2009
Verdict:
A Broward County jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against PM USA, awarding $5.3 million in compensatory damages. The judge had previously dismissed the punitive damages claim. In September 2009, the trial court entered final judgment and awarded plaintiff $1.95 million in actual damages. The judgment reduced the jury’s compensatory damages award due to the jury allocating 36.5% of the fault to PM USA.
Post-Trial Developments:
A notice of appeal was filed by PM USA in September 2009. In February 2012, the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed the judgment, holding that the statute of limitations barred plaintiff’s claims. In October 2012, on motion for rehearing, the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal withdrew its prior decision and affirmed the trial court’s judgment. In November 2012, PM USA filed a notice to invoke the jurisdiction of the Florida Supreme Court, which the Florida Supreme Court denied. In the first quarter of 2014, PM USA recorded a provision on its condensed consolidated balance sheet of approximately $3.6 million for the judgment plus interest and associated costs. In March 2014, PM USA filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court, which was denied in June 2014. Also in June 2014, PM USA paid the judgment plus interest and associated costs in the amount of approximately $3.6 million.
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Engle Progeny Appellate Issues
Three Florida federal district courts (in the Merlob, B. Brown and Burr cases) ruled in 2008 that the findings in the first phase of the Engle proceedings cannot be used to satisfy elements of plaintiffs’ claims, and two of those rulings (B. Brown and Burr) were certified by the trial court for interlocutory review. The certification in both cases was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the appeals were consolidated. The appeal in Burr was dismissed for lack of prosecution, and the case was ultimately dismissed on statute of limitations grounds.
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In July 2010, the Eleventh Circuit ruled in B. Brown that, as a matter of Florida law, plaintiffs do not have an unlimited right to use the findings from the original Engle trial to meet their burden of establishing the elements of their claims at trial. The Eleventh Circuit did not reach the issue of whether the use of the Engle findings violates defendants’ due process rights. Rather, the court held that plaintiffs may only use the findings to establish those specific facts, if any, that they demonstrate with a reasonable degree of certainty were actually decided by the original Engle jury. The Eleventh Circuit remanded the case to the district court to determine what specific factual findings the Engle jury actually made.
After the remand of B. Brown, several state appellate rulings superseded the Eleventh Circuit’s ruling on Florida state law. These cases include Martin, a case against R.J. Reynolds in Escambia County, and J. Brown, a case against R.J. Reynolds in Broward County. In December 2011, petitions for writ of certiorari were filed with the United States Supreme Court by R.J. Reynolds in Campbell, Martin, Gray and Hall and by PM USA and Liggett Group in Campbell. The United States Supreme Court denied defendants’ certiorari petitions in March 2012.
In Douglas, in March 2012, the Florida Second District Court of Appeal issued a decision affirming the judgment of the trial court in favor of the plaintiff and upholding the use of the Engle jury findings with respect to strict liability claims but certified to the Florida Supreme Court the question of whether granting res judicata effect to the Engle jury findings violates defendants’ federal due process rights. In March 2013, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the final judgment entered in favor of plaintiff upholding the use of the Engle jury findings with respect to strict liability and negligence claims. PM USA filed its petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court in August 2013, which the court denied in October 2013.
Meanwhile, in the Waggoner case, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida ruled in December 2011 that application of the Engle findings to establish the wrongful conduct elements of plaintiffs’ claims consistent with Martin or J. Brown did not violate defendants’ due process rights. PM USA and the other defendants sought appellate review of the due process ruling. In February 2012, the district court denied the motion for interlocutory appeal, but did apply the ruling to all active pending federal Engle progeny cases. As a result, R.J. Reynolds appealed the rulings in the Walker and Duke cases to the Eleventh Circuit, which, in September 2013, rejected the due process defense and affirmed the underlying judgments. In October 2013, R.J. Reynolds filed a petition for rehearing or rehearing en banc. Thereafter, the Eleventh Circuit vacated its decision and substituted a new opinion. In November 2013, the Eleventh Circuit denied R.J. Reynolds’ initial petition for rehearing. R.J. Reynolds filed a petition for rehearing en banc or panel rehearing of the substituted decision, which was denied in January 2014. In March 2014, R.J. Reynolds filed petitions for writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court in the Walker and Duke cases, as well as in J. Brown. Defendants filed petitions for writ of certiorari in eight other Engle progeny cases that were tried in Florida state courts, including one case, Barbanell, in which PM USA is the defendant. In these eight petitions, defendants asserted questions similar to those in Walker, Duke and J. Brown. In June 2014, the United States Supreme Court denied defendants’ petitions for writ of certiorari in all 11 cases.
In Graham, an Engle progeny case against PM USA and R.J. Reynolds on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, defendants argued that the Engle progeny plaintiffs’ product liability claims are impliedly preempted by federal law. On April 8, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit found in favor of defendants on the basis of federal preemption and reversed the trial court’s denial of judgment as a matter of law.
In Soffer, an Engle progeny case against R.J. Reynolds, the Florida First District Court of Appeal held that Engle progeny plaintiffs can recover punitive damages only on their intentional tort claims. In February 2014, the Florida Supreme Court accepted jurisdiction over plaintiff’s appeal from the Florida First District Court of Appeal’s holding and heard oral argument in December 2014.
In Ciccone, an Engle progeny case against R.J. Reynolds, the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal held that Engle progeny plaintiffs could establish class membership by showing that they developed symptoms during the Engle class period that could, in hindsight, be attributed to their smoking-related disease. The court certified a conflict with Castleman, a Florida First District Court of Appeal decision, which held that manifestation requires Engle progeny plaintiffs to have been aware during the class period that they had a disease caused by smoking in order to establish class membership. The Florida Supreme Court accepted jurisdiction in the Ciccone case in June 2014 and heard oral argument in December 2014.
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Florida Bond Statute
In June 2009, Florida amended its existing bond cap statute by adding a $200 million bond cap that applies to all state Engle progeny lawsuits in the aggregate and establishes individual bond caps for individual Engle progeny cases in amounts that vary depending on the number of judgments in effect at a given time. Plaintiffs in three state Engle progeny cases against R.J. Reynolds in Alachua County, Florida (Alexander, Townsend and Hall) and one case in Escambia County (Clay) challenged the constitutionality of the bond cap statute. The Florida Attorney General intervened in these cases in defense of the constitutionality of the statute.
Trial court rulings were rendered in Clay, Alexander, Townsend and Hall rejecting the plaintiffs’ bond cap statute challenges in those cases. The plaintiffs unsuccessfully appealed these rulings. In Alexander, Clay and Hall, the District Court of Appeal for the First District of Florida affirmed the trial court decisions and certified the decision in Hall for appeal to the Florida Supreme Court, but declined to certify the question of the constitutionality of the bond cap statute in Clay and Alexander. The Florida Supreme Court granted review of the Hall decision, but, in September 2012, the court dismissed the appeal as moot. In October 2012, the Florida Supreme Court denied the plaintiffs’ rehearing petition. In August 2013, in Calloway, discussed further above, plaintiff filed a motion in the trial court to determine the sufficiency of the bond posted by defendants on the ground that the bond cap statute is unconstitutional, which was denied.
No federal court has yet addressed the constitutionality of the bond cap statute or the applicability of the bond cap to Engle progeny cases tried in federal court. However, in April 2013, PM USA, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to have the court apply the Florida bond cap statute to all federal Engle progeny cases. In August 2013, the court denied the motion without prejudice on the grounds that it was premature to adjudicate such issue.
Other Smoking and Health Class Actions
Since the dismissal in May 1996 of a purported nationwide class action brought on behalf of allegedly addicted smokers, plaintiffs have filed numerous putative smoking and health class action suits in various state and federal courts. In general, these cases purport to be brought on behalf of residents of a particular state or states (although a few cases purport to be nationwide in scope) and raise addiction claims and, in many cases, claims of physical injury as well.
Class certification has been denied or reversed by courts in 59 smoking and health class actions involving PM USA in Arkansas (1), California (1), the District of Columbia (2), Florida (2), Illinois (3), Iowa (1), Kansas (1), Louisiana (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Nevada (29), New Jersey (6), New York (2), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (1), Puerto Rico (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (1) and Wisconsin (1).
As of April 20, 2015, PM USA and Altria Group, Inc. are named as defendants, along with other cigarette manufacturers, in seven class actions filed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Ontario. In Saskatchewan, British Columbia (two separate cases) and Ontario, plaintiffs seek class certification on behalf of individuals who suffer or have suffered from various diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, heart disease or cancer, after smoking defendants’ cigarettes. In the actions filed in Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, plaintiffs seek certification of classes of all individuals who smoked defendants’ cigarettes. See Guarantees and Other Similar Matters below for a discussion of the Distribution Agreement between Altria Group, Inc. and PMI that provides for indemnities for certain liabilities concerning tobacco products.
Medical Monitoring Class Actions
In medical monitoring actions, plaintiffs seek to recover the cost for, or otherwise the implementation of, court-supervised programs for ongoing medical monitoring purportedly on behalf of a class of individual plaintiffs. Plaintiffs in these cases seek to impose liability under various product-based causes of action and the creation of a court-supervised program providing members of the purported class Low Dose CT (“LDCT”) scanning in order to identify and diagnose lung cancer. Plaintiffs in these cases do not seek punitive damages, although plaintiffs in Donovan have indicated they may seek to treble any damages awarded. The future defense of these cases may be negatively impacted by evolving medical standards and practice.
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One medical monitoring class action is currently pending against PM USA. In Donovan, filed in December 2006 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, plaintiffs purportedly brought the action on behalf of the state’s residents who are: age 50 or older; have smoked the Marlboro brand for 20 pack-years or more; and have neither been diagnosed with lung cancer nor are under investigation by a physician for suspected lung cancer. The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, in answering questions certified to it by the district court, held in October 2009 that under certain circumstances state law recognizes a claim by individual smokers for medical monitoring despite the absence of an actual injury. The court also ruled that whether or not the case is barred by the applicable statute of limitations is a factual issue to be determined by the trial court. The case was remanded to federal court for further proceedings. In June 2010, the district court granted in part the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, certifying the class as to plaintiffs’ claims for breach of implied warranty and violation of the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, but denying certification as to plaintiffs’ negligence claim. In July 2010, PM USA petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit for appellate review of the class certification decision. The petition was denied in September 2010. As a remedy, plaintiffs have proposed a 28-year medical monitoring program with an approximate cost of $190 million. In October 2011, PM USA filed a motion for class decertification, which motion was denied in March 2012. In February 2013, the district court amended the class definition to extend to individuals who satisfy the class membership criteria through February 26, 2013, and to exclude any individual who was not a Massachusetts resident as of February 26, 2013. In January 2014, plaintiffs filed motions for partial summary judgment and to strike affirmative defenses. In December 2014, the court issued its rulings on plaintiffs’ previously-filed motions, granting and denying the motions in part. Trial is scheduled to begin January 25, 2016.
Health Care Cost Recovery Litigation
Overview
In the health care cost recovery litigation, governmental entities seek reimbursement of health care cost expenditures allegedly caused by tobacco products and, in some cases, of future expenditures and damages. Relief sought by some but not all plaintiffs includes punitive damages, multiple damages and other statutory damages and penalties, injunctions prohibiting alleged marketing and sales to minors, disclosure of research, disgorgement of profits, funding of anti-smoking programs, additional disclosure of nicotine yields, and payment of attorney and expert witness fees.
The claims asserted include the claim that cigarette manufacturers were “unjustly enriched” by plaintiffs’ payment of health care costs allegedly attributable to smoking, as well as claims of indemnity, negligence, strict liability, breach of express and implied warranty, violation of a voluntary undertaking or special duty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, conspiracy, public nuisance, claims under federal and state statutes governing consumer fraud, antitrust, deceptive trade practices and false advertising, and claims under federal and state anti-racketeering statutes.
Defenses raised include lack of proximate cause, remoteness of injury, failure to state a valid claim, lack of benefit, adequate remedy at law, “unclean hands” (namely, that plaintiffs cannot obtain equitable relief because they participated in, and benefited from, the sale of cigarettes), lack of antitrust standing and injury, federal preemption, lack of statutory authority to bring suit and statutes of limitations. In addition, defendants argue that they should be entitled to “set off” any alleged damages to the extent the plaintiffs benefit economically from the sale of cigarettes through the receipt of excise taxes or otherwise. Defendants also argue that these cases are improper because plaintiffs must proceed under principles of subrogation and assignment. Under traditional theories of recovery, a payor of medical costs (such as an insurer) can seek recovery of health care costs from a third party solely by “standing in the shoes” of the injured party. Defendants argue that plaintiffs should be required to bring any actions as subrogees of individual health care recipients and should be subject to all defenses available against the injured party.
Although there have been some decisions to the contrary, most judicial decisions in the United States have dismissed all or most health care cost recovery claims against cigarette manufacturers. Nine federal circuit courts of appeals and eight state appellate courts, relying primarily on grounds that plaintiffs’ claims were too remote, have ordered or affirmed dismissals of health care cost recovery actions. The United States Supreme Court has refused to consider plaintiffs’ appeals from the cases decided by five circuit courts of appeals. In 2011, in the health care cost recovery case brought against PM USA and other defendants by the City of St. Louis, Missouri and approximately 40 Missouri hospitals, a verdict was returned in favor of defendants.
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Individuals and associations have also sued in purported class actions or as private attorneys general under the Medicare as Secondary Payer (“MSP”) provisions of the Social Security Act to recover from defendants Medicare expenditures allegedly incurred for the treatment of smoking-related diseases. Cases were brought in New York (2), Florida (2) and Massachusetts (1). All were dismissed by federal courts.
In addition to the cases brought in the United States, health care cost recovery actions have also been brought against tobacco industry participants, including PM USA and Altria Group, Inc., in Israel (dismissed), the Marshall Islands (dismissed) and Canada (10), and other entities have stated that they are considering filing such actions.
In September 2005, in the first of several health care cost recovery cases filed in Canada, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled that legislation passed in British Columbia permitting the lawsuit is constitutional, and, as a result, the case, which had previously been dismissed by the trial court, was permitted to proceed. PM USA’s and other defendants’ challenge to the British Columbia court’s exercise of jurisdiction was rejected by the Court of Appeals of British Columbia and, in April 2007, the Supreme Court of Canada denied review of that decision. In December 2009, the Court of Appeals of British Columbia ruled that certain defendants can proceed against the Federal Government of Canada as third parties on the theory that the Federal Government of Canada negligently misrepresented to defendants the efficacy of a low tar tobacco variety that the Federal Government of Canada developed and licensed to defendants. In May 2010, the Supreme Court of Canada granted leave to the Federal Government of Canada to appeal this decision and leave to defendants to cross-appeal the Court of Appeals’ decision to dismiss claims against the Federal Government of Canada based on other theories of liability. In July 2011, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the third-party claims against the Federal Government of Canada.
Since the beginning of 2008, the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia have brought health care reimbursement claims against cigarette manufacturers. PM USA is named as a defendant in the British Columbia and Quebec cases, while both Altria Group, Inc. and PM USA are named as defendants in the New Brunswick, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia cases. The territory of Nunavut has passed similar legislation. See Guarantees and Other Similar Matters below for a discussion of the Distribution Agreement between Altria Group, Inc. and PMI that provides for indemnities for certain liabilities concerning tobacco products.
Settlements of Health Care Cost Recovery Litigation
In November 1998, PM USA and certain other United States tobacco product manufacturers entered into the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (the “MSA”) with 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Marianas to settle asserted and unasserted health care cost recovery and other claims. PM USA and certain other United States tobacco product manufacturers had previously entered into agreements to settle similar claims brought by Mississippi, Florida, Texas and Minnesota (together with the MSA, the “State Settlement Agreements”). The State Settlement Agreements require that the original participating manufacturers make annual payments of approximately $9.4 billion, subject to adjustments for several factors, including inflation, market share and industry volume. In addition, the original participating manufacturers are required to pay settling plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, subject to an annual cap of $500 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the aggregate amount recorded in cost of sales with respect to the State Settlement Agreements and the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 was approximately $1.1 billion for each period.
The State Settlement Agreements also include provisions relating to advertising and marketing restrictions, public disclosure of certain industry documents, limitations on challenges to certain tobacco control and underage use laws, restrictions on lobbying activities and other provisions.
NPM Adjustment Disputes
PM USA is participating in proceedings regarding potential downward adjustments (the “NPM Adjustment”) to MSA payments made by manufacturers that are signatories to the MSA (the “participating manufacturers” or “PMs”) for 2003-2013. The NPM Adjustment is a reduction in MSA payments that applies if the PMs collectively lose at least a specified level of market share to non-participating manufacturers (“NPMs”) between 1997 and the year at issue, subject
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to certain conditions and defenses. The independent auditor appointed under the MSA calculates the maximum amount, if any, of the NPM Adjustment for any year in respect of which such NPM Adjustment is potentially applicable.
2003-2012 NPM Adjustment Disputes - Settlement with 24 States and Territories
PM USA has settled the NPM Adjustment disputes for the years 2003-2012 with 24 of the 52 MSA states and territories (the 24 states and territories are referred to as the “signatory states,” and the remaining MSA states and territories are referred to as the “non-signatory states”). Pursuant to the settlement, PM USA expects to receive a total of at least $599 million for 2003-2012. Of this total, PM USA had already received $579 million in the form of reductions to its MSA payments in 2013 or 2014 and received the remaining $20 million as a reduction to its MSA payment in 2015.
PM USA recorded $519 million of the $599 million as a reduction to cost of sales that increased its reported pre-tax earnings by $483 million and $36 million in the first quarter of 2013 and second quarter of 2013, respectively. The remainder of the $599 million consists of $80 million attributable to two states that joined the settlement after having been found subject to the 2003 NPM Adjustment by an arbitration panel in the third quarter of 2013, as discussed below. As a result of the arbitration panel’s findings, however, PM USA had already recorded $54 million in pre-tax earnings in respect of those two states for the 2003 NPM Adjustment before they joined the settlement, leaving an additional $26 million to be recorded when they joined the settlement. The $54 million already recorded consisted of $37 million recorded as a reduction to cost of sales and $17 million recorded as interest income. Because the $80 million settlement recovery would all be recorded as a reduction to cost of sales, upon these two states’ joinder of the settlement in the second quarter of 2014, PM USA recorded a further $43 million reduction to cost of sales while also recording a $17 million reduction in interest income to reverse the earlier recording of interest income in that amount. The result was a net increase in reported pre-tax earnings of $26 million in the second quarter of 2014.
In addition, the settlement provides that the NPM Adjustment provision will be revised and streamlined as to the signatory states for the years after 2012. Under the revised provision, the 2013 and 2014 NPM Adjustments are “transition years,” for which the PMs receive specified payments. PM USA has already received $35 million for the 2013 transition year pursuant to this revised provision in the form of a reduction to its MSA payments in 2014, resulting in a reduction to cost of sales in the first quarter of 2014. PM USA also received an additional $3 million for the 2013 transition year as a result of the two additional states joining the settlement in the form of a reduction to its MSA payment in 2015. In addition, PM USA received $41 million for the 2014 transition year in the form of a reduction to its MSA payment in 2015. PM USA, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard (the “original participating manufacturers” or “OPMs”) have agreed that the amounts they receive under the settlement for the transition years and subsequent years will be allocated among them pursuant to a formula that modifies the MSA allocation formula in a manner favorable to PM USA, although the extent to which it remains favorable to PM USA will depend upon future developments.
Many of the non-signatory states objected to the settlement before the arbitration panel hearing the 2003 NPM Adjustment dispute. In March 2013, the panel issued a stipulated partial settlement and award (the “Stipulated Award”) rejecting the objections and permitting the settlement to proceed. Fourteen of the non-signatory states filed motions in their state courts to vacate and/or modify the Stipulated Award in whole or part. Decisions by the Pennsylvania, Missouri and Maryland courts on such motions, and the subsequent appeals of those rulings, are discussed below. One state’s motion was denied without an appeal by the state. Another state’s motions remain pending in its state trial court. As for the remaining states, rulings rejecting their motions to vacate the Stipulated Award are on appeal by the respective states, or the motions have been voluntarily dismissed or stayed pending further state action.
2003-2014 NPM Adjustment Disputes - Continuing Disputes with Non-Signatory States
PM USA has continued to pursue the NPM Adjustments for 2003 and subsequent years with respect to the non-signatory states. Under the MSA, once all conditions for the NPM Adjustment for a particular year are met, each state may avoid an NPM Adjustment to its share of the PMs’ MSA payments for that year by establishing that it diligently enforced a qualifying escrow statute during the entirety of that year. Such a state’s share of the NPM Adjustment would then be reallocated to any states that are found not to have diligently enforced for that year. For 2003-2012, all conditions for the NPM Adjustment have been met, either by determination or agreement among the parties. For 2013-2014, one condition (that the disadvantages of the MSA were a “significant factor” contributing to the PMs’ collective loss of market share) potentially remains in dispute. Proceedings as to the “significant factor” issue for 2013 have been initiated, and proceedings as to the “significant factor” issue for 2014 cannot be commenced until the second half of April 2016.
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▪ | 2003 NPM Adjustment. With one exception (Montana), the courts have ruled that the states’ claims of diligent enforcement are to be submitted to arbitration. PM USA and other PMs entered into an agreement with most of the MSA states and territories concerning the 2003 NPM Adjustment, under which such states and territories would receive a partial liability reduction of 20% for the 2003 NPM Adjustment in the event the arbitration panel determined that they did not diligently enforce during 2003. The Montana state courts ruled that Montana may litigate its diligent enforcement claims in state court, rather than in arbitration. In June 2012, the PMs and Montana entered a consent decree pursuant to which Montana would not be subject to the 2003 NPM Adjustment.

The 2003 arbitration was conducted from July 2010 to September 2013. Following discovery, the PMs determined no longer to contest the 2003 diligent enforcement claims of 14 of the non-signatory states in the arbitration. In the Stipulated Award, the arbitration panel ruled that the total 2003 NPM Adjustment would be reduced pro rata by the aggregate allocable share of the signatory states (at the relevant time, approximately 46%) to determine the maximum amount of the 2003 NPM Adjustment potentially available from the non-signatory states whose diligent enforcement claims the PMs continued to contest (the “pro rata judgment reduction”).
In September 2013, the arbitration panel issued rulings regarding the 15 contested states and territories that had not as of that time joined the settlement, ruling that six of them (Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico and Pennsylvania) did not diligently enforce during 2003 and that nine of them did. Based on this ruling, the PMs are entitled to receive from the six non-diligent states the entire 2003 NPM Adjustment remaining after the pro rata judgment reduction. PM USA believes it is entitled to receive an NPM Adjustment for 2003 based on this ruling, after reflecting the 20% partial liability reduction noted above, of approximately $145 million. PM USA recorded this $145 million as a reduction to cost of sales, which increased its reported pre-tax earnings in the third quarter of 2013. In addition, PM USA believes it would be entitled to interest on this amount of approximately $89 million. PM USA recorded $64 million of this amount as interest income, which reduced interest and other debt expense, net in the first quarter of 2014, but did not yet record the remaining $25 million based on its assessment of a certain dispute concerning interest discussed below.
After PM USA recorded these amounts, two of the six non-diligent states (Indiana and Kentucky) joined the settlement and became signatory states. Those two states account for (i) $37 million of the $145 million NPM Adjustment for 2003 that PM USA recorded and (ii) $17 million of the interest that PM USA recorded. PM USA will retain those amounts from the two states, plus receive additional amounts as part of the settlement recoveries for the 2003-2012 NPM Adjustment disputes described above. The remaining four states account for approximately (i) $108 million of the $145 million 2003 NPM Adjustment that PM USA recorded and (ii) $66 million of the $89 million of interest to which PM USA believes it would be entitled on the $145 million (and $47 million of the $64 million of interest that PM USA recorded). Each of these four states has filed a motion in its state court to (i) vacate the panel’s ruling as to its diligence and (ii) to modify the pro rata judgment reduction and to substitute a reduction method more favorable to the state. These four states have also raised a dispute concerning the independent auditor’s calculation of interest. In addition, one of the other OPMs has raised a dispute concerning the allocation of the interest and disputed payments account earnings among the OPMs.
In April 2014, a Pennsylvania state trial court denied Pennsylvania’s motion to vacate the arbitration panel’s ruling that Pennsylvania had not diligently enforced, but granted Pennsylvania’s motion to modify, with respect to Pennsylvania, the pro rata judgment reduction. In May 2014, a Missouri state trial court ruled similarly on Missouri’s motions. In July 2014, a Maryland state trial court denied both Maryland’s motion to vacate the arbitration panel’s ruling that Maryland had not diligently enforced and Maryland’s motion to vacate or modify the pro rata judgment reduction. In April 2015, a Pennsylvania intermediate appellate court affirmed the trial court’s modification, with respect to Pennsylvania, of the pro rata judgment reduction. PM USA intends to seek further discretionary judicial review of the Pennsylvania appellate decision. PM USA is also appealing the Missouri decision modifying the pro rata judgment reduction. Maryland is appealing its court’s decisions declining to modify the pro rata judgment reduction and denying its motion to vacate the arbitration panel’s diligence ruling as to Maryland. The motions filed by the fourth state, New Mexico, remain pending in its state trial court.
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As a result of the Pennsylvania state trial court ruling, the total 2014 MSA payment credit PM USA received on account of the 2003 NPM Adjustment from the four states was reduced from $108 million to $79 million, and the interest PM USA received from the four states was $48 million rather than the $66 million in interest to which PM USA believes it would be entitled from those four states. If PM USA obtains and is successful in judicial review of the Pennsylvania intermediate appellate court ruling, it will recover the difference ($29 million of 2003 NPM Adjustment and $18 million in interest (subject to the separate interest disputes referenced above)), with interest, as a credit against a subsequent MSA payment. If PM USA is not successful in obtaining discretionary judicial review of the Pennsylvania intermediate appellate ruling, or if PM USA is not successful in any further discretionary review that may be granted, it would need to reverse $29 million of the 2003 NPM Adjustment and part of the interest that it recorded. Because the Missouri state trial court ruling post-dated PM USA’s April 2014 MSA payment, that ruling did not reduce the credit that PM USA received against that payment. If PM USA is not successful on judicial review of the Missouri court’s ruling, it will be required to return approximately $12 million of the 2003 NPM Adjustment and $7 million of the interest it received (in each case subject to confirmation by the independent auditor), plus applicable interest, and would need to make corresponding reversals to amounts previously recorded. In connection with the Missouri appeal, PM USA has posted a bond in the amount of $22 million. In addition, the other litigation and disputes discussed above could further reduce PM USA’s recovery on the 2003 NPM Adjustment or recovery of interest and potentially require PM USA to return amounts previously received and/or reverse amounts previously recorded. No assurance can be given that PM USA’s request for discretionary judicial review of the Pennsylvania intermediate appellate ruling (or the outcome of any further discretionary review that may be granted), PM USA’s appeals of the Missouri trial court ruling, Maryland’s appeals of its trial court rulings or the other litigation and disputes discussed above, will be resolved in a manner favorable to PM USA.

▪ | 2004-2014 NPM Adjustments. Proceedings regarding state diligent enforcement claims for 2004-2014 have not yet been scheduled. PM USA believes that the MSA requires these claims to be determined in a multi-state arbitration, although a number of non-signatory states have filed motions in their state courts contending that the claims are to be determined in separate arbitrations for individual states or that there is no arbitrable dispute for 2004. No assurance can be given as to when proceedings for 2004-2014 will be scheduled or the precise form those proceedings will take.

The independent auditor has calculated that PM USA’s share of the maximum potential NPM Adjustments for these years is (exclusive of interest or earnings): $388 million for 2004, $181 million for 2005, $154 million for 2006, $185 million for 2007, $250 million for 2008, $211 million for 2009, $218 million for 2010, $166 million for 2011, $211 million for 2012, $219 million for 2013 and $247 million for 2014. These maximum amounts will be reduced by a judgment reduction to reflect the settlement with the signatory states. The judgment reduction for the 2004-2014 NPM Adjustments has not yet been determined. In addition, these maximum amounts may also be further reduced by other developments, including agreements that may be entered in the future, disputes that may arise or recalculation of the NPM Adjustment amounts by the independent auditor. Finally, PM USA’s recovery of these amounts, even as reduced, is dependent upon subsequent determinations of non-signatory states’ diligent enforcement claims. The availability and amount of any NPM Adjustment for 2004-2014 from the non-signatory states will not be finally determined in the near term. There is no assurance that the OPMs and other MSA-participating manufacturers will ultimately receive any adjustment from the non-signatory states as a result of these proceedings. PM USA’s receipt of amounts on account of the 2003 NPM Adjustment and interest from non-signatory states does not provide any assurance that PM USA will receive any NPM Adjustment amounts (or associated interest or earnings) for 2004 or any subsequent year.
Other Disputes Related to MSA Payments
In addition to the disputed NPM Adjustments described above, MSA states and PMs, including PM USA, conducted another arbitration to resolve certain other disputes related to the calculation of the participating manufacturers’ payments under the MSA. PM USA disputed the method by which ounces of “roll your own” tobacco had been converted to cigarettes for purposes of calculating the downward volume adjustments to its MSA payments, but in February 2013, the arbitration panel issued a ruling in favor of the MSA states. This same arbitration panel also issued a ruling in the dispute over whether the “adjusted gross” or the “net” number of cigarettes on which federal excise tax is paid is the correct methodology for calculating MSA payments due from a certain subsequent participating manufacturer. As a result of this
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ruling, the affected subsequent participating manufacturer is expected to make additional payments to the MSA states, although the exact amount of such payments remains in dispute.
Other MSA-Related Litigation
Since the MSA’s inception, NPMs and/or their distributors or customers have filed a number of challenges to the MSA and related legislation. They have named as defendants the states and their officials, in an effort to enjoin enforcement of important parts of the MSA and related legislation, and/or participating manufacturers, in an effort to obtain damages. To date, no such challenge has been successful, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Circuits have affirmed judgments in favor of defendants in 16 such cases.
Federal Government’s Lawsuit
In 1999, the United States government filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against various cigarette manufacturers, including PM USA, and others, including Altria Group, Inc., asserting claims under three federal statutes, namely the Medical Care Recovery Act (“MCRA”), the MSP provisions of the Social Security Act and the civil provisions of RICO. Trial of the case ended in June 2005. The lawsuit sought to recover an unspecified amount of health care costs for tobacco-related illnesses allegedly caused by defendants’ fraudulent and tortious conduct and paid for by the government under various federal health care programs, including Medicare, military and veterans’ health benefits programs, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. The complaint alleged that such costs total more than $20 billion annually. It also sought what it alleged to be equitable and declaratory relief, including disgorgement of profits that arose from defendants’ allegedly tortious conduct, an injunction prohibiting certain actions by defendants, and a declaration that defendants are liable for the federal government’s future costs of providing health care resulting from defendants’ alleged past tortious and wrongful conduct. In September 2000, the trial court dismissed the government’s MCRA and MSP claims, but permitted discovery to proceed on the government’s claims for relief under the civil provisions of RICO.
The government alleged that disgorgement by defendants of approximately $280 billion is an appropriate remedy and the trial court agreed. In February 2005, however, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held that disgorgement is not a remedy available to the government under the civil provisions of RICO. In October 2005, the United States Supreme Court denied the government’s petition for writ of certiorari.
In June 2005, the government filed with the trial court its proposed final judgment seeking remedies of approximately $14 billion, including $10 billion over a five-year period to fund a national smoking cessation program and $4 billion over a 10-year period to fund a public education and counter-marketing campaign. Further, the government’s proposed remedy would have required defendants to pay additional monies to these programs if targeted reductions in the smoking rate of those under 21 were not achieved according to a prescribed timetable. The government’s proposed remedies also included a series of measures and restrictions applicable to cigarette business operations, including, but not limited to, restrictions on advertising and marketing, potential measures with respect to certain price promotional activities and research and development, disclosure requirements for certain confidential data and implementation of a monitoring system with potential broad powers over cigarette operations.
In August 2006, the federal trial court entered judgment in favor of the government. The court held that certain defendants, including Altria Group, Inc. and PM USA, violated RICO and engaged in seven of the eight “sub-schemes” to defraud that the government had alleged. Specifically, the court found that:

▪ | defendants falsely denied, distorted and minimized the significant adverse health consequences of smoking;

▪ | defendants hid from the public that cigarette smoking and nicotine are addictive;

▪ | defendants falsely denied that they control the level of nicotine delivered to create and sustain addiction;

▪ | defendants falsely marketed and promoted “low tar/light” cigarettes as less harmful than full-flavor cigarettes;

▪ | defendants falsely denied that they intentionally marketed to youth;

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▪ | defendants publicly and falsely denied that ETS is hazardous to non-smokers; and

▪ | defendants suppressed scientific research.

The court did not impose monetary penalties on defendants, but ordered the following relief: (i) an injunction against “committing any act of racketeering” relating to the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, health consequences or sale of cigarettes in the United States; (ii) an injunction against participating directly or indirectly in the management or control of the Council for Tobacco Research, the Tobacco Institute, or the Center for Indoor Air Research, or any successor or affiliated entities of each; (iii) an injunction against “making, or causing to be made in any way, any material false, misleading, or deceptive statement or representation or engaging in any public relations or marketing endeavor that is disseminated to the United States public and that misrepresents or suppresses information concerning cigarettes”; (iv) an injunction against conveying any express or implied health message through use of descriptors on cigarette packaging or in cigarette advertising or promotional material, including “lights,” “ultra lights” and “low tar,” which the court found could cause consumers to believe one cigarette brand is less hazardous than another brand; (v) the issuance of “corrective statements” in various media regarding the adverse health effects of smoking, the addictiveness of smoking and nicotine, the lack of any significant health benefit from smoking “low tar” or “light” cigarettes, defendants’ manipulation of cigarette design to ensure optimum nicotine delivery and the adverse health effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke; (vi) the disclosure on defendants’ public document websites and in the Minnesota document repository of all documents produced to the government in the lawsuit or produced in any future court or administrative action concerning smoking and health until 2021, with certain additional requirements as to documents withheld from production under a claim of privilege or confidentiality; (vii) the disclosure of disaggregated marketing data to the government in the same form and on the same schedule as defendants now follow in disclosing such data to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) for a period of 10 years; (viii) certain restrictions on the sale or transfer by defendants of any cigarette brands, brand names, formulas or cigarette businesses within the United States; and (ix) payment of the government’s costs in bringing the action.
Defendants appealed and, in May 2009, a three judge panel of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a per curiam decision largely affirming the trial court’s judgment against defendants and in favor of the government. Although the panel largely affirmed the remedial order that was issued by the trial court, it vacated the following aspects of the order:

▪ | its application to defendants’ subsidiaries;

▪ | the prohibition on the use of express or implied health messages or health descriptors, but only to the extent of extraterritorial application;

▪ | its point-of-sale display provisions; and

▪ | its application to Brown & Williamson Holdings.

The Court of Appeals panel remanded the case for the trial court to reconsider these four aspects of the injunction and to reformulate its remedial order accordingly. Furthermore, the Court of Appeals panel rejected all of the government’s and intervenors’ cross-appeal arguments and refused to broaden the remedial order entered by the trial court. The Court of Appeals panel also left undisturbed its prior holding that the government cannot obtain disgorgement as a permissible remedy under RICO.
In July 2009, defendants filed petitions for a rehearing before the panel and for a rehearing by the entire Court of Appeals. Defendants also filed a motion to vacate portions of the trial court’s judgment on the grounds of mootness because of the passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (“FSPTCA”), granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) broad authority over the regulation of tobacco products. In September 2009, the Court of Appeals entered three per curiam rulings. Two of them denied defendants’ petitions for panel rehearing or for rehearing en banc. In the third per curiam decision, the Court of Appeals denied defendants’ suggestion of mootness and motion for partial vacatur. In February 2010, PM USA and Altria Group, Inc. filed their certiorari petitions with the United States Supreme Court. In addition, the federal government and the intervenors filed their own certiorari petitions, asking the court to reverse an earlier Court of Appeals decision and hold that civil RICO allows the trial court to order disgorgement as well as other equitable relief, such as smoking cessation remedies, designed to redress continuing
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consequences of prior RICO violations. In June 2010, the United States Supreme Court denied all of the parties’ petitions. In July 2010, the Court of Appeals issued its mandate lifting the stay of the trial court’s judgment and remanding the case to the trial court. As a result of the mandate, except for those matters remanded to the trial court for further proceedings, defendants are now subject to the injunction discussed above and the other elements of the trial court’s judgment.
In February 2011, the government submitted its proposed corrective statements and the trial court referred issues relating to a document repository to a special master. Defendants filed a response to the government’s proposed corrective statements and filed a motion to vacate the trial court’s injunction in light of the FSPTCA, which motion was denied in June 2011. Defendants appealed the trial court’s ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In July 2012, the Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s denial of defendants’ motion to vacate the district court’s injunction.
Remaining issues pending include: (i) the content of the court-ordered corrective communications and (ii) the requirements related to point-of-sale signage. In November 2012, the district court issued its order specifying the content of the corrective communications described above. The district court’s order required the parties to engage in negotiations with the special master regarding implementation of the corrective communications remedy for television, newspapers, cigarette pack onserts and websites. In January 2013, defendants filed a notice of appeal from the order on the content and vehicles of the corrective communications and a motion to hold the appeal in abeyance pending completion of the negotiations, which the U.S. Court of Appeals granted in February 2013. In January 2014, the parties submitted a motion for entry of a consent order in the district court, setting forth their agreement on the implementation details of the corrective communications remedy. The agreement provides that the “trigger date” for implementation is after the appeal on the content of the communications has been exhausted. Also in January 2014, the district court convened a hearing and ordered further briefing. A number of amici who sought modification or rejection of the agreement for a variety of reasons were given leave to appear: National Newspaper Publishers Association, National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, Inc., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, The Little Rock Sun Community Newspaper, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., The CW Network, LLC, Univision Communications Inc., Radio One, Inc., TV One, LLC, Interactive One, LLC, Fox Broadcasting Company, Viacom Inc. and A&E Television Networks, LLC. In April 2014, the parties filed an amended proposed consent order and accompanying submission in the district court seeking entry of a revised agreement on the implementation details of the corrective communications remedy. In June 2014, the district court approved the April 2014 proposed consent order. Also in June 2014, defendants filed a notice of appeal of the consent order solely for the purpose of perfecting the U.S. Court of Appeals’ jurisdiction over the pending appeal relating to the content and vehicles of the corrective communications and, in July 2014, defendants moved to consolidate this appeal with the appeal filed in January 2013. The U.S. Court of Appeals granted the motion to consolidate in August 2014. Oral argument occurred on February 23, 2015.
In the second quarter of 2014, Altria Group, Inc. and PM USA recorded provisions on each of their respective balance sheets totaling $31 million for the estimated costs of implementing the corrective communications remedy. This estimate is subject to change due to several factors, including the outcome of the appeal on the content of the corrective communications, though Altria Group, Inc. and PM USA do not expect any change in this estimate to be material.
The consent order approved by the district court in June 2014 did not address the requirements related to point-of-sale signage. In May 2014, the district court ordered further briefing by the parties on the issue of corrective statements on point-of-sale signage, which was completed in June 2014.
In December 2011, the parties to the lawsuit entered into an agreement as to the issues concerning the document repository. Pursuant to this agreement, PM USA agreed to deposit an amount of approximately $3.1 million into the district court in installments over a five-year period.
“Lights/Ultra Lights” Cases
Overview
Plaintiffs in certain pending matters seek certification of their cases as class actions and allege, among other things, that the uses of the terms “Lights” and/or “Ultra Lights” constitute deceptive and unfair trade practices, common law or
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statutory fraud, unjust enrichment or breach of warranty, and seek injunctive and equitable relief, including restitution and, in certain cases, punitive damages. These class actions have been brought against PM USA and, in certain instances, Altria Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries, on behalf of individuals who purchased and consumed various brands of cigarettes, including Marlboro Lights, Marlboro Ultra Lights, Virginia Slims Lights and Superslims, Merit Lights and Cambridge Lights. Defenses raised in these cases include lack of misrepresentation, lack of causation, injury and damages, the statute of limitations, non-liability under state statutory provisions exempting conduct that complies with federal regulatory directives, and the First Amendment. As of April 20, 2015, a total of 12 such cases are pending in various U.S. state courts.
The Good Case
In May 2006, a federal trial court in Maine granted PM USA’s motion for summary judgment in Good, a purported “Lights” class action, on the grounds that plaintiffs’ claims are preempted by the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (“FCLAA”) and dismissed the case. In December 2008, the United States Supreme Court ruled that plaintiffs’ claims are not barred by federal preemption. Although the Court rejected the argument that the FTC’s actions were so extensive with respect to the descriptors that the state law claims were barred as a matter of federal law, the Court’s decision was limited: it did not address the ultimate merits of plaintiffs’ claim, the viability of the action as a class action or other state law issues. The case was returned to the federal court in Maine and consolidated with other federal cases in the multidistrict litigation proceeding discussed below. In June 2011, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the case without prejudice after the district court denied plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, concluding the litigation.
Federal Multidistrict Proceeding and Subsequent Developments
Since the December 2008 United States Supreme Court decision in Good, and through April 20, 2015, 26 purported “Lights” class actions were served upon PM USA and, in certain cases, Altria Group, Inc. These cases were filed in 15 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. All of these cases either were filed in federal court or were removed to federal court by PM USA and were transferred and consolidated by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“JPMDL”) before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine for pretrial proceedings (“MDL proceeding”).
In November 2010, the district court in the MDL proceeding denied plaintiffs’ motion for class certification in four cases, covering the jurisdictions of California, the District of Columbia, Illinois and Maine. These jurisdictions were selected by the parties as sample cases, with two selected by plaintiffs and two selected by defendants. Plaintiffs sought appellate review of this decision but, in February 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit denied plaintiffs’ petition for leave to appeal. Later that year, plaintiffs in 13 cases voluntarily dismissed without prejudice their cases. In April 2012, the JPMDL remanded the remaining four cases (Phillips, Tang, Wyatt and Cabbat) back to the federal district courts in which the suits originated. These cases were ultimately resolved in a manner favorable to PM USA.
“Lights” Cases Dismissed, Not Certified or Ordered De-Certified
As of April 20, 2015, in addition to the federal district court in the MDL proceeding, 18 courts in 19 “Lights” cases have refused to certify class actions, dismissed class action allegations, reversed prior class certification decisions or have entered judgment in favor of PM USA.
Trial courts in Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin have refused to grant class certification or have dismissed plaintiffs’ class action allegations. Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed a case in Michigan after a trial court dismissed the claims plaintiffs asserted under the Michigan Unfair Trade and Consumer Protection Act. Several appellate courts have issued rulings that either affirmed rulings in favor of Altria Group, Inc. and/or PM USA or reversed rulings entered in favor of plaintiffs.
In Florida, an intermediate appellate court overturned an order by a trial court that granted class certification in Hines. The Florida Supreme Court denied review in January 2008. The Supreme Court of Illinois overturned a judgment that awarded damages to a certified class in the Price case, although plaintiffs are seeking reinstatement of the judgment. See The Price Case below for further discussion. In Louisiana, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed a purported “Lights” class action (Sullivan) on the grounds that plaintiffs’ claims were preempted by the FCLAA. In New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned a trial court decision in Schwab that granted plaintiffs’
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motion for certification of a nationwide class of all U.S. residents that purchased cigarettes in the United States that were labeled “Light” or “Lights.” In July 2010, plaintiffs in Schwab voluntarily dismissed the case with prejudice. In Ohio, the Ohio Supreme Court overturned class certifications in the Marrone and Phillips cases. Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed without prejudice both cases in August 2009, but refiled in federal court as the Phillips case discussed above. The Supreme Court of Washington denied a motion for interlocutory review filed by the plaintiffs in the Davies case that sought review of an order by the trial court that refused to certify a class. Plaintiffs subsequently voluntarily dismissed the Davies case with prejudice. In August 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the Illinois federal district court’s dismissal of “Lights” claims brought against PM USA in the Cleary case. In Curtis, a certified class action, in May 2012, the Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s entry of summary judgment in favor of PM USA, concluding this litigation.
In Lawrence, in August 2012, the New Hampshire Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s order to certify a class and subsequently denied plaintiffs’ rehearing petition. In October 2012, the case was dismissed after plaintiffs filed a motion to dismiss the case with prejudice, concluding this litigation.
State Trial Court Class Certifications
State trial courts have certified classes against PM USA in several jurisdictions. Over time, several such cases have been dismissed by the courts at the summary judgment stage. Certified class actions remain pending at the trial or appellate level in Massachusetts (Aspinall), California (Brown), Missouri (Larsen) and Arkansas (Miner). (See also Price, discussed below.) Significant developments in these cases include:

▪ | Aspinall: In August 2004, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the class certification order. In August 2006, the trial court denied PM USA’s motion for summary judgment and granted plaintiffs’ cross-motion for summary judgment on the defenses of federal preemption and a state law exemption to Massachusetts’ consumer protection statute. On motion of the parties, the trial court subsequently reported its decision to deny summary judgment to the appeals court for review and stayed further proceedings pending completion of the appellate review. In March 2009, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the order denying summary judgment to PM USA and granting the plaintiffs’ cross-motion. In January 2010, plaintiffs moved for partial summary judgment as to liability claiming collateral estoppel from the findings in the case brought by the Department of Justice (see Health Care Cost Recovery Litigation - Federal Government’s Lawsuit described above). In March 2012, the trial court denied plaintiffs’ motion. In February 2013, the trial court, upon agreement of the parties, dismissed without prejudice plaintiffs’ claims against Altria Group, Inc. PM USA is now the sole defendant in the case. In September 2013, the case was transferred to the Business Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Superior Court. Also in September 2013, plaintiffs filed a motion for partial summary judgment on the scope of remedies available in the case, which the Massachusetts Superior Court denied in February 2014, concluding that plaintiffs cannot obtain disgorgement of profits as an equitable remedy and that their recovery is limited to actual damages or $25 per class member if they cannot prove actual damages greater than $25. Plaintiffs filed a motion asking the trial court to report its February 2014 ruling to the Massachusetts Appeals Court for review, which the trial court denied. In March 2014, plaintiffs petitioned the Massachusetts Appeals Court for review of the ruling, which the appellate court denied. Trial is scheduled to begin October 19, 2015.

▪ | Brown: In June 1997, plaintiffs filed suit in California state court alleging that domestic cigarette manufacturers, including PM USA and others, violated California law regarding unfair, unlawful and fraudulent business practices. In May 2009, the California Supreme Court reversed an earlier trial court decision that decertified the class and remanded the case to the trial court. At that time, the class consisted of individuals who, at the time they were residents of California, (i) smoked in California one or more cigarettes manufactured by PM USA that were labeled and/or advertised with the terms or phrases “light,” “medium,” “mild,” “low tar,” and/or “lowered tar and nicotine,” but not including any cigarettes labeled or advertised with the terms or phrases “ultra light” or “ultra low tar,” and (ii) who were exposed to defendant’s marketing and advertising activities in California. Plaintiffs are seeking restitution of a portion of the costs of “light” cigarettes purchased during the class period and injunctive relief ordering corrective communications. In September 2012, at the plaintiffs’ request, the trial court dismissed all defendants except PM USA from the lawsuit. Trial began in April 2013. In May 2013 the plaintiffs redefined the class to include California residents who smoked in California one or more of

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defendant’s Marlboro Lights cigarettes between January 1, 1998 and April 23, 2001, and who were exposed to defendant’s marketing and advertising activities in California. In June 2013, PM USA filed a motion to decertify the class. Trial concluded in July 2013. In September 2013, the court issued a final Statement of Decision, in which the court found that PM USA violated California law, but that plaintiffs had not established a basis for relief. On this basis, the court granted judgment for PM USA. The court also denied PM USA’s motion to decertify the class. In October 2013, the court entered final judgment in favor of PM USA. In November 2013, plaintiffs moved for a new trial, which the court denied. In December 2013, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal and PM USA filed a conditional cross-appeal. In February 2014, the trial court awarded PM USA $764,553 in costs. Also in February 2014, plaintiffs appealed the costs award.

▪ | Larsen: In August 2005, a Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the class certification order. In December 2009, the trial court denied plaintiffs’ motion for reconsideration of the period during which potential class members can qualify to become part of the class. The class period remains 1995-2003. In June 2010, PM USA’s motion for partial summary judgment regarding plaintiffs’ request for punitive damages was denied. In April 2010, plaintiffs moved for partial summary judgment as to an element of liability in the case, claiming collateral estoppel from the findings in the case brought by the Department of Justice (see Health Care Cost Recovery Litigation - Federal Government’s Lawsuit described above). The plaintiffs’ motion was denied in December 2010. In June 2011, PM USA filed various summary judgment motions challenging the plaintiffs’ claims. In August 2011, the trial court granted PM USA’s motion for partial summary judgment, ruling that plaintiffs could not present a damages claim based on allegations that Marlboro Lights are more dangerous than Marlboro Reds. The trial court denied PM USA’s remaining summary judgment motions. Trial in the case began in September 2011 and, in October 2011, the court declared a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a verdict. In January 2014, the trial court reversed its prior ruling granting partial summary judgment against plaintiffs’ “more dangerous” claim and allowed plaintiffs to pursue that claim. In October 2014, PM USA filed motions to decertify the class and for partial summary judgment on plaintiffs’ “more dangerous” claim. Re-trial is scheduled to begin on February 22, 2016.

▪ | Miner: In June 2007, the United States Supreme Court reversed the lower court rulings in Miner (formerly known as Watson) that denied plaintiffs’ motion to have the case heard in a state, as opposed to federal, trial court. The Supreme Court rejected defendants’ contention that the case must be tried in federal court under the “federal officer” statute. Following remand, the case was removed again to federal court in Arkansas and transferred to the MDL proceeding discussed above. In November 2010, the district court in the MDL proceeding remanded the case to Arkansas state court. In December 2011, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims against Altria Group, Inc. without prejudice. In March 2013, plaintiffs filed a class certification motion. In November 2013, the trial court granted class certification. The certified class includes those individuals who, from November 1, 1971 through June 22, 2010, purchased Marlbor o Lights, including Marlboro Ultra Lights, for personal consumption in Arkansas. PM USA filed a notice of appeal of the class certification ruling to the Arkansas Supreme Court in December 2013. On February 26, 2015, the Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s class certification order. No trial date has been set.

Other Developments
In Oregon (Pearson), a state court denied plaintiffs’ motion for interlocutory review of the trial court’s refusal to certify a class. In February 2007, PM USA filed a motion for summary judgment based on federal preemption and the Oregon statutory exemption. In September 2007, the district court granted PM USA’s motion based on express preemption under the FCLAA, and plaintiffs appealed this dismissal and the class certification denial to the Oregon Court of Appeals. In June 2013, the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s denial of class certification and remanded to the trial court for further consideration of class certification. In July 2013, PM USA filed a petition for reconsideration with the Oregon Court of Appeals, which was denied in August 2013. PM USA filed its petition for review to the Oregon Supreme Court in October 2013, which the court accepted in January 2014. Oral argument occurred in June 2014.
In December 2009, the state trial court in Carroll (formerly known as Holmes) (pending in Delaware) denied PM USA’s motion for summary judgment based on an exemption provision in the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act. In January 2011, the trial court allowed the plaintiffs to file an amended complaint substituting class representatives and naming Altria Group, Inc. and PMI as additional defendants. In February 2013, the trial court approved the parties’ stipulation to the
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dismissal without prejudice of Altria Group, Inc. and PMI, leaving PM USA as the sole defendant in the case. On March 9, 2015, plaintiffs moved for class certification.
The Price Case
Trial in Price commenced in state court in Illinois in January 2003 and, in March 2003, the judge found in favor of the plaintiff class and awarded $7.1 billion in compensatory damages and $3.0 billion in punitive damages against PM USA. In December 2005, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s judgment in favor of the plaintiffs. In November 2006, the United States Supreme Court denied plaintiffs’ petition for writ of certiorari and, in December 2006, the Circuit Court of Madison County enforced the Illinois Supreme Court’s mandate and dismissed the case with prejudice.
In December 2008, plaintiffs filed with the trial court a petition for relief from the final judgment that was entered in favor of PM USA. Specifically, plaintiffs sought to vacate the judgment entered by the trial court on remand from the 2005 Illinois Supreme Court decision overturning the verdict on the ground that the United States Supreme Court’s December 2008 decision in Good demonstrated that the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision was “inaccurate.” PM USA filed a motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ petition and, in February 2009, the trial court granted PM USA’s motion on the basis that the petition was not timely filed. In March 2009, the Price plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the Fifth Judicial District of the Appellate Court of Illinois. In February 2011, the intermediate appellate court ruled that the petition was timely filed and reversed the trial court’s dismissal of the plaintiffs’ petition and, in September 2011, the Illinois Supreme Court declined PM USA’s petition for review. As a result, the case was returned to the trial court for proceedings on whether the court should grant the plaintiffs’ petition to reopen the prior judgment. In February 2012, plaintiffs filed an amended petition, which PM USA opposed. Subsequently, in responding to PM USA’s opposition to the amended petition, plaintiffs asked the trial court to reinstate the original judgment. The trial court denied plaintiffs’ petition in December 2012. In January 2013, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the Fifth Judicial District. In January 2013, PM USA filed a motion asking the Illinois Supreme Court to immediately exercise its jurisdiction over the appeal. In February 2013, the Illinois Supreme Court denied PM USA’s motion. Oral argument on plaintiffs’ appeal to the Fifth Judicial District was heard in October 2013. In April 2014, the Fifth Judicial District reversed and ordered reinstatement of the original $10.1 billion trial court judgment against PM USA. In May 2014, PM USA filed in the Illinois Supreme Court a petition for a supervisory order and a petition for leave to appeal. The filing of the petition for leave to appeal automatically stayed the Fifth District’s mandate pending disposition by the Illinois Supreme Court. Also in May 2014, plaintiffs filed a motion seeking recusal of Justice Karmeier, one of the Illinois Supreme Court justices, which PM USA opposed. In September 2014, the Illinois Supreme Court granted PM USA’s motion for leave to appeal and took no action on PM USA’s motion for a supervisory order. Justice Karmeier denied plaintiffs’ motion seeking his recusal. On February 9, 2015, plaintiffs filed a new motion seeking recusal or disqualification of Justice Karmeier. On March 11, 2015, the Illinois Supreme Court denied plaintiffs’ request that it order the disqualification of Justice Karmeier and referred the recusal request to Justice Karmeier to decide. Oral argument is scheduled for May 19, 2015.
In June 2009, the plaintiff in an individual smoker lawsuit (Kelly) brought on behalf of an alleged smoker of “Lights” cigarettes in Madison County, Illinois state court filed a motion seeking a declaration that his claims under the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act are not (i) barred by the exemption in that statute based on his assertion that the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision in Price is no longer good law in light of the decisions by the United States Supreme Court in Good and Watson, and (ii) preempted in light of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Good. In September 2009, the court granted plaintiff’s motion as to federal preemption, but denied it with respect to the state statutory exemption.
Certain Other Tobacco-Related Litigation
Tobacco Price Case
One case remains pending in Kansas (Smith) in which plaintiffs allege that defendants, including PM USA and Altria Group, Inc., conspired to fix cigarette prices in violation of antitrust laws. Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification was granted. In March 2012, the trial court granted defendants’ motions for summary judgment. Plaintiffs sought the trial court’s reconsideration of its decision, but in June 2012, the trial court denied plaintiffs’ motion for reconsideration. Plaintiffs appealed the decision, and defendants cross-appealed the trial court’s class certification decision, to the Court of Appeals of Kansas. In July 2014, the Court of Appeals affirmed the entry of summary judgment in favor of defendants. Plaintiffs filed a petition for review in the Kansas Supreme Court in August 2014.
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Ignition Propensity Cases
PM USA and Altria Group, Inc. are currently facing litigation alleging that a fire caused by cigarettes led to individuals’ deaths. In a Kentucky case (Walker), the federal district court denied plaintiffs’ motion to remand the case to state court and dismissed plaintiffs’ claims in February 2009. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a notice of appeal. In October 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed the portion of the district court decision that denied remand of the case to Kentucky state court and remanded the case to Kentucky state court. The Sixth Circuit did not address the merits of the district court’s dismissal order. Defendants’ petition for rehearing with the Sixth Circuit was denied in December 2011. Defendants filed a renewed motion to dismiss in state court in March 2013. Based on new evidence, in June 2013, defendants removed the case for a second time to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky and re-filed their motion to dismiss in June 2013. In July 2013, plaintiffs filed a motion to remand the case to Kentucky state court, which was granted in March 2014.
False Claims Act Case
PM USA is a defendant in a qui tam action filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (United States ex rel. Anthony Oliver) alleging violation of the False Claims Act in connection with sales of cigarettes to the U.S. military. The relator contends that PM USA violated “most favored customer” provisions in government contracts and regulations by selling cigarettes to non-military customers in overseas markets at more favorable prices than it sold to the U.S. military exchange services for resale on overseas military bases in those same markets. The relator has dropped Altria Group, Inc. as a defendant and has dropped claims related to post-MSA price increases on cigarettes sold to the U.S. military. In July 2012, PM USA filed a motion to dismiss, which was granted on jurisdictional grounds in June 2013, and the case was dismissed with prejudice. In July 2013, the relator appealed the dismissal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In August 2014, the Court of Appeals reversed the jurisdictional issue and remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings, including consideration of PM USA’s alternative grounds for dismissal. In October 2014, PM USA filed a second motion to dismiss in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for lack of subject matter jurisdiction based on issues left unresolved by the opinion of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Argentine Grower Cases
PM USA and Altria Group, Inc. are named as defendants in six cases (Hupan, Chalanuk, Rodriguez Da Silva, Aranda, Taborda and Biglia) filed in Delaware state court against multiple defendants by the parents of Argentine children born with alleged birth defects. Plaintiffs in these cases allege that they grew tobacco in Argentina under contract with Tabacos Norte S.A., an alleged subsidiary of PMI, and that they and their infant children were exposed directly and in utero to hazardous herbicides and pesticides used in the production and cultivation of tobacco. Plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages against all defendants. In December 2012, Altria Group, Inc. and certain other defendants were dismissed from the Hupan, Chalanuk and Rodriguez Da Silva cases. Altria Group, Inc. and certain other defendants were dismissed from Aranda, Taborda and Biglia in May 2013, October 2013 and February 2014, respectively. The three remaining defendants in the six cases are PM USA, Philip Morris Global Brands Inc. (a subsidiary of PMI) and Monsanto Company. Following discussions regarding indemnification for these cases pursuant to the Distribution Agreement between PMI and Altria Group, Inc., PMI and PM USA have agreed to resolve conflicting indemnity demands after final judgments are entered. See Guarantees and Other Similar Matters below for a discussion of the Distribution Agreement. In April 2014, all three defendants in the Hupan case filed motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim, and PM USA and Philip Morris Global Brands filed separate motions to dismiss based on the doctrine of forum non conveniens. All proceedings in the other five cases are currently stayed pending the court’s resolution of the motions to dismiss filed in Hupan.
UST Litigation
Claims related to smokeless tobacco products generally fall within the following categories:
First, UST and/or its tobacco subsidiaries have been named in certain actions in West Virginia (See In re: Tobacco Litigation above) brought by or on behalf of individual plaintiffs against cigarette manufacturers, smokeless tobacco manufacturers and other organizations seeking damages and other relief in connection with injuries allegedly sustained as a result of tobacco usage, including smokeless tobacco products. Included among the plaintiffs are five individuals
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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
alleging use of USSTC’s smokeless tobacco products and alleging the types of injuries claimed to be associated with the use of smokeless tobacco products. USSTC, along with other non-cigarette manufacturers, has remained severed from such proceedings since December 2001.
Second, UST and/or its tobacco subsidiaries has been named in a number of other individual tobacco and health suits over time. Plaintiffs’ allegations of liability in these cases are based on various theories of recovery, such as negligence, strict liability, fraud, misrepresentation, design defect, failure to warn, breach of implied warranty, addiction and breach of consumer protection statutes. Plaintiffs seek various forms of relief, including compensatory and punitive damages, and certain equitable relief, including but not limited to disgorgement. Defenses raised in these cases include lack of causation, assumption of the risk, comparative fault and/or contributory negligence, and statutes of limitations. USSTC is currently named in one such action in Florida (Vassallo). In December 2014, the court entered a scheduling order setting trial to commence in the first quarter of 2016.
Environmental Regulation
Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (and former subsidiaries) are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise related to environmental protection, including, in the United States: The Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (commonly known as “Superfund”), which can impose joint and several liability on each responsible party. Subsidiaries (and former subsidiaries) of Altria Group, Inc. are involved in several matters subjecting them to potential costs of remediation and natural resource damages under Superfund or other laws and regulations. Altria Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries expect to continue to make capital and other expenditures in connection with environmental laws and regulations.
Altria Group, Inc. provides for expenses associated with environmental remediation obligations on an undiscounted basis when such amounts are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Such accruals are adjusted as new information develops or circumstances change. Other than those amounts, it is not possible to reasonably estimate the cost of any environmental remediation and compliance efforts that subsidiaries of Altria Group, Inc. may undertake in the future. In the opinion of management, however, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including the payment of any remediation costs or damages and the making of related expenditures, has not had, and is not expected to have, a material adverse effect on Altria Group, Inc.’s consolidated results of operations, capital expenditures, financial position or cash flows.
Guarantees and Other Similar Matters
In the ordinary course of business, certain subsidiaries of Altria Group, Inc. have agreed to indemnify a limited number of third parties in the event of future litigation. At March 31, 2015, Altria Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (i) had $66 million of unused letters of credit obtained in the ordinary course of business; (ii) were contingently liable for $32 million of guarantees, consisting primarily of surety bonds, related to their own performance; and (iii) had a redeemable noncontrolling interest of $34 million recorded on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. In addition, from time to time, subsidiaries of Altria Group, Inc. issue lines of credit to affiliated entities. These items have not had, and are not expected to have, a significant impact on Altria Group, Inc.’s liquidity.
Under the terms of a distribution agreement between Altria Group, Inc. and PMI (the “Distribution Agreement”), entered into as a result of Altria Group, Inc.’s 2008 spin-off of its former subsidiary PMI, liabilities concerning tobacco products will be allocated based in substantial part on the manufacturer. PMI will indemnify Altria Group, Inc. and PM USA for liabilities related to tobacco products manufactured by PMI or contract manufactured for PMI by PM USA, and PM USA will indemnify PMI for liabilities related to tobacco products manufactured by PM USA, excluding tobacco products contract manufactured for PMI. Altria Group, Inc. does not have a related liability recorded on its condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 as the fair value of this indemnification is insignificant.
As more fully discussed in Note 10. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information, PM USA has issued guarantees relating to Altria Group, Inc.’s obligations under its outstanding debt securities, borrowings under its $3.0 billion senior unsecured 5-year revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) and amounts outstanding under its commercial paper program.
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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 10. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information:
PM USA, which is a 100% owned subsidiary of Altria Group, Inc., has guaranteed Altria Group, Inc.’s obligations under its outstanding debt securities, borrowings under its Credit Agreement and amounts outstanding under its commercial paper program (the “Guarantees”). Pursuant to the Guarantees, PM USA fully and unconditionally guarantees, as primary obligor, the payment and performance of Altria Group, Inc.’s obligations under the guaranteed debt instruments (the “Obligations”), subject to release under certain customary circumstances as noted below.
The Guarantees provide that PM USA guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of the Obligations. The liability of PM USA under the Guarantees is absolute and unconditional irrespective of: any lack of validity, enforceability or genuineness of any provision of any agreement or instrument relating thereto; any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any agreement or instrument relating thereto; any exchange, release or non-perfection of any collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any other guarantee, for all or any of the Obligations; or any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, Altria Group, Inc. or PM USA.
The obligations of PM USA under the Guarantees are limited to the maximum amount as will not result in PM USA’s obligations under the Guarantees constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of PM USA that are relevant under Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to the Guarantees. For this purpose, “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
PM USA will be unconditionally released and discharged from the Obligations upon the earliest to occur of:

▪ | the date, if any, on which PM USA consolidates with or merges into Altria Group, Inc. or any successor;

▪ | the date, if any, on which Altria Group, Inc. or any successor consolidates with or merges into PM USA;

▪ | the payment in full of the Obligations pertaining to such Guarantees; and

▪ | the rating of Altria Group, Inc.’s long-term senior unsecured debt by Standard & Poor’s of A or higher.

At March 31, 2015, the respective principal 100% owned subsidiaries of Altria Group, Inc. and PM USA were not limited by long-term debt or other agreements in their ability to pay cash dividends or make other distributions with respect to their equity interests.
The following sets forth the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, condensed consolidating statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 for Altria Group, Inc., PM USA and, collectively, Altria Group, Inc.’s other subsidiaries that are not guarantors of Altria Group, Inc.’s debt instruments (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). The financial information is based on Altria Group, Inc.’s understanding of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) interpretation and application of Rule 3-10 of SEC Regulation S-X.
The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of results of operations or financial position had PM USA and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries operated as independent entities. Altria Group, Inc. and PM USA account for investments in their subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting.
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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
March 31, 2015
(in millions of dollars)

|  | Altria Group, Inc. |  |  | PM USA |  |  | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries |  |  | Total Consolidating Adjustments |  |  | Consolidated |
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 3,639 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 35 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,674 |
Receivables |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | 168 |  |  | — |  |  | 172 |
Inventories: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Leaf tobacco |  | — |  |  | 624 |  |  | 395 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,019 |
Other raw materials |  | — |  |  | 129 |  |  | 71 |  |  | — |  |  | 200 |
Work in process |  | — |  |  | 10 |  |  | 400 |  |  | — |  |  | 410 |
Finished product |  | — |  |  | 155 |  |  | 301 |  |  | — |  |  | 456 |
|  | — |  |  | 918 |  |  | 1,167 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,085 |
Due from Altria Group, Inc. and subsidiaries |  | 8 |  |  | 5,121 |  |  | 1,498 |  |  | (6,627 | ) |  | — |
Deferred income taxes |  | 1 |  |  | 1,189 |  |  | 9 |  |  | (56 | ) |  | 1,143 |
Other current assets |  | 250 |  |  | 66 |  |  | 90 |  |  | (247 | ) |  | 159 |
Total current assets |  | 3,898 |  |  | 7,298 |  |  | 2,967 |  |  | (6,930 | ) |  | 7,233 |
Property, plant and equipment, at cost |  | — |  |  | 3,113 |  |  | 1,671 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,784 |
Less accumulated depreciation |  | — |  |  | 2,112 |  |  | 700 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,812 |
|  | — |  |  | 1,001 |  |  | 971 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,972 |
Goodwill |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5,285 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,285 |
Other intangible assets, net |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 12,042 |  |  | — |  |  | 12,044 |
Investment in SABMiller |  | 5,850 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5,850 |
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries |  | 11,407 |  |  | 2,769 |  |  | — |  |  | (14,176 | ) |  | — |
Finance assets, net |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,360 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,360 |
Due from Altria Group, Inc. and subsidiaries |  | 4,790 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (4,790 | ) |  | — |
Other assets |  | 145 |  |  | 534 |  |  | 115 |  |  | (326 | ) |  | 468 |
Total Assets |  | $ | 26,090 |  |  | $ | 11,604 |  |  | $ | 22,740 |  |  | $ | (26,222 | ) |  | $ | 34,212 |

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Continued)
March 31, 2015
(in millions of dollars)

|  | Altria Group, Inc. |  |  | PM USA |  |  | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries |  |  | Total Consolidating Adjustments |  |  | Consolidated |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current portion of long-term debt |  | $ | 1,000 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,000 |
Accounts payable |  | 19 |  |  | 125 |  |  | 130 |  |  | — |  |  | 274 |
Accrued liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Marketing |  | — |  |  | 512 |  |  | 93 |  |  | — |  |  | 605 |
Employment costs |  | 12 |  |  | 10 |  |  | 45 |  |  | — |  |  | 67 |
Settlement charges |  | — |  |  | 4,544 |  |  | 7 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,551 |
Other |  | 266 |  |  | 451 |  |  | 229 |  |  | (56 | ) |  | 890 |
Income taxes |  | — |  |  | 508 |  |  | 221 |  |  | (247 | ) |  | 482 |
Dividends payable |  | 1,026 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,026 |
Due to Altria Group, Inc. and subsidiaries |  | 6,257 |  |  | 354 |  |  | 16 |  |  | (6,627 | ) |  | — |
Total current liabilities |  | 8,580 |  |  | 6,504 |  |  | 741 |  |  | (6,930 | ) |  | 8,895 |
Long-term debt |  | 12,901 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 12,901 |
Deferred income taxes |  | 1,638 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,595 |  |  | (326 | ) |  | 5,907 |
Accrued pension costs |  | 232 |  |  | — |  |  | 746 |  |  | — |  |  | 978 |
Accrued postretirement health care costs |  | — |  |  | 1,598 |  |  | 856 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,454 |
Due to Altria Group, Inc. and subsidiaries |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4,790 |  |  | (4,790 | ) |  | — |
Other liabilities |  | 206 |  |  | 152 |  |  | 157 |  |  | — |  |  | 515 |
Total liabilities |  | 23,557 |  |  | 8,254 |  |  | 11,885 |  |  | (12,046 | ) |  | 31,650 |
Contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Redeemable noncontrolling interest |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 34 |  |  | — |  |  | 34 |
Stockholders’ Equity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock |  | 935 |  |  | — |  |  | 9 |  |  | (9 | ) |  | 935 |
Additional paid-in capital |  | 5,754 |  |  | 3,310 |  |  | 11,338 |  |  | (14,648 | ) |  | 5,754 |
Earnings reinvested in the business |  | 26,271 |  |  | 377 |  |  | 1,067 |  |  | (1,444 | ) |  | 26,271 |
Accumulated other comprehensive losses |  | (2,945 | ) |  | (337 | ) |  | (1,588 | ) |  | 1,925 |  |  | (2,945 | )
Cost of repurchased stock |  | (27,482 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (27,482 | )
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | 2,533 |  |  | 3,350 |  |  | 10,826 |  |  | (14,176 | ) |  | 2,533 |
Noncontrolling interests |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (5 | ) |  | — |  |  | (5 | )
Total stockholders’ equity |  | 2,533 |  |  | 3,350 |  |  | 10,821 |  |  | (14,176 | ) |  | 2,528 |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |  | $ | 26,090 |  |  | $ | 11,604 |  |  | $ | 22,740 |  |  | $ | (26,222 | ) |  | $ | 34,212 |

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
December 31, 2014
(in millions of dollars)

|  | Altria Group, Inc. |  |  | PM USA |  |  | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries |  |  | Total Consolidating Adjustments |  |  | Consolidated |
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 3,281 |  |  | $ | 3 |  |  | $ | 37 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,321 |
Receivables |  | — |  |  | 6 |  |  | 118 |  |  | — |  |  | 124 |
Inventories: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Leaf tobacco |  | — |  |  | 616 |  |  | 375 |  |  | — |  |  | 991 |
Other raw materials |  | — |  |  | 132 |  |  | 68 |  |  | — |  |  | 200 |
Work in process |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | 425 |  |  | — |  |  | 429 |
Finished product |  | — |  |  | 134 |  |  | 286 |  |  | — |  |  | 420 |
|  | — |  |  | 886 |  |  | 1,154 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,040 |
Due from Altria Group, Inc. and subsidiaries |  | 568 |  |  | 3,535 |  |  | 1,279 |  |  | (5,382 | ) |  | — |
Deferred income taxes |  | — |  |  | 1,190 |  |  | 9 |  |  | (56 | ) |  | 1,143 |
Other current assets |  | 54 |  |  | 101 |  |  | 122 |  |  | (27 | ) |  | 250 |
Total current assets |  | 3,903 |  |  | 5,721 |  |  | 2,719 |  |  | (5,465 | ) |  | 6,878 |
Property, plant and equipment, at cost |  | — |  |  | 3,112 |  |  | 1,643 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,755 |
Less accumulated depreciation |  | — |  |  | 2,091 |  |  | 681 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,772 |
|  | — |  |  | 1,021 |  |  | 962 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,983 |
Goodwill |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5,285 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,285 |
Other intangible assets, net |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | 12,047 |  |  | — |  |  | 12,049 |
Investment in SABMiller |  | 6,183 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6,183 |
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries |  | 10,665 |  |  | 2,775 |  |  | — |  |  | (13,440 | ) |  | — |
Finance assets, net |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,614 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,614 |
Due from Altria Group, Inc. and subsidiaries |  | 4,790 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (4,790 | ) |  | — |
Other assets |  | 148 |  |  | 541 |  |  | 121 |  |  | (327 | ) |  | 483 |
Total Assets |  | $ | 25,689 |  |  | $ | 10,060 |  |  | $ | 22,748 |  |  | $ | (24,022 | ) |  | $ | 34,475 |

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Continued)
December 31, 2014
(in millions of dollars)

|  | Altria Group, Inc. |  |  | PM USA |  |  | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries |  |  | Total Consolidating Adjustments |  |  | Consolidated |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current portion of long-term debt |  | $ | 1,000 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,000 |
Accounts payable |  | 18 |  |  | 118 |  |  | 280 |  |  | — |  |  | 416 |
Accrued liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Marketing |  | — |  |  | 505 |  |  | 113 |  |  | — |  |  | 618 |
Employment costs |  | 18 |  |  | 10 |  |  | 158 |  |  | — |  |  | 186 |
Settlement charges |  | — |  |  | 3,495 |  |  | 5 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,500 |
Other |  | 321 |  |  | 400 |  |  | 287 |  |  | (83 | ) |  | 925 |
Dividends payable |  | 1,028 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,028 |
Due to Altria Group, Inc. and subsidiaries |  | 4,414 |  |  | 402 |  |  | 566 |  |  | (5,382 | ) |  | — |
Total current liabilities |  | 6,799 |  |  | 4,930 |  |  | 1,409 |  |  | (5,465 | ) |  | 7,673 |
Long-term debt |  | 13,693 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 13,693 |
Deferred income taxes |  | 1,754 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,661 |  |  | (327 | ) |  | 6,088 |
Accrued pension costs |  | 233 |  |  | — |  |  | 779 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,012 |
Accrued postretirement health care costs |  | — |  |  | 1,608 |  |  | 853 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,461 |
Due to Altria Group, Inc. and subsidiaries |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4,790 |  |  | (4,790 | ) |  | — |
Other liabilities |  | 196 |  |  | 151 |  |  | 156 |  |  | — |  |  | 503 |
Total liabilities |  | 22,675 |  |  | 6,689 |  |  | 12,648 |  |  | (10,582 | ) |  | 31,430 |
Contingencies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Redeemable noncontrolling interest |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 35 |  |  | — |  |  | 35 |
Stockholders’ Equity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock |  | 935 |  |  | — |  |  | 9 |  |  | (9 | ) |  | 935 |
Additional paid-in capital |  | 5,735 |  |  | 3,310 |  |  | 10,688 |  |  | (13,998 | ) |  | 5,735 |
Earnings reinvested in the business |  | 26,277 |  |  | 402 |  |  | 995 |  |  | (1,397 | ) |  | 26,277 |
Accumulated other comprehensive losses |  | (2,682 | ) |  | (341 | ) |  | (1,623 | ) |  | 1,964 |  |  | (2,682 | )
Cost of repurchased stock |  | (27,251 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (27,251 | )
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | 3,014 |  |  | 3,371 |  |  | 10,069 |  |  | (13,440 | ) |  | 3,014 |
Noncontrolling interests |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | — |  |  | (4 | )
Total stockholders’ equity |  | 3,014 |  |  | 3,371 |  |  | 10,065 |  |  | (13,440 | ) |  | 3,010 |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |  | $ | 25,689 |  |  | $ | 10,060 |  |  | $ | 22,748 |  |  | $ | (24,022 | ) |  | $ | 34,475 |

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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(in millions of dollars)

|  | Altria Group, Inc. |  |  | PM USA |  |  | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries |  |  | Total Consolidating Adjustments |  |  | Consolidated |
Net revenues |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5,068 |  |  | $ | 745 |  |  | $ | (9 | ) |  | $ | 5,804 |
Cost of sales |  | — |  |  | 1,566 |  |  | 240 |  |  | (9 | ) |  | 1,797 |
Excise taxes on products |  | — |  |  | 1,480 |  |  | 52 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,532 |
Gross profit |  | — |  |  | 2,022 |  |  | 453 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,475 |
Marketing, administration and research costs |  | 42 |  |  | 465 |  |  | 103 |  |  | — |  |  | 610 |
Operating (expense) income |  | (42 | ) |  | 1,557 |  |  | 350 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,865 |
Interest and other debt expense (income), net |  | 154 |  |  | (1 | ) |  | 56 |  |  | — |  |  | 209 |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |  | 228 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 228 |
Earnings from equity investment in SABMiller |  | (134 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (134 | )
(Loss) earnings before income taxes and equity earnings of subsidiaries |  | (290 | ) |  | 1,558 |  |  | 294 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,562 |
(Benefit) provision for income taxes |  | (143 | ) |  | 584 |  |  | 103 |  |  | — |  |  | 544 |
Equity earnings of subsidiaries |  | 1,165 |  |  | 61 |  |  | — |  |  | (1,226 | ) |  | — |
Net earnings |  | 1,018 |  |  | 1,035 |  |  | 191 |  |  | (1,226 | ) |  | 1,018 |
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Net earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | $ | 1,018 |  |  | $ | 1,035 |  |  | $ | 191 |  |  | $ | (1,226 | ) |  | $ | 1,018 |
Net earnings |  | $ | 1,018 |  |  | $ | 1,035 |  |  | $ | 191 |  |  | $ | (1,226 | ) |  | $ | 1,018 |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings, net of deferred income taxes |  | (263 | ) |  | 4 |  |  | 35 |  |  | (39 | ) |  | (263 | )
Comprehensive earnings |  | 755 |  |  | 1,039 |  |  | 226 |  |  | (1,265 | ) |  | 755 |
Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | $ | 755 |  |  | $ | 1,039 |  |  | $ | 226 |  |  | $ | (1,265 | ) |  | $ | 755 |

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(in millions of dollars)

|  | Altria Group, Inc. |  |  | PM USA |  |  | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries |  |  | Total Consolidating Adjustments |  |  | Consolidated |
Net revenues |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4,818 |  |  | $ | 703 |  |  | $ | (4 | ) |  | $ | 5,517 |
Cost of sales |  | — |  |  | 1,541 |  |  | 215 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 1,752 |
Excise taxes on products |  | — |  |  | 1,460 |  |  | 49 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,509 |
Gross profit |  | — |  |  | 1,817 |  |  | 439 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,256 |
Marketing, administration and research costs |  | 39 |  |  | 402 |  |  | 79 |  |  | — |  |  | 520 |
Asset impairment and exit costs |  | — |  |  | 2 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2 |
Operating (expense) income |  | (39 | ) |  | 1,413 |  |  | 360 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,734 |
Interest and other debt expense (income), net |  | 156 |  |  | (64 | ) |  | 61 |  |  | — |  |  | 153 |
Earnings from equity investment in SABMiller |  | (225 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (225 | )
Earnings before income taxes and equity earnings of subsidiaries |  | 30 |  |  | 1,477 |  |  | 299 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,806 |
(Benefit) provision for income taxes |  | (23 | ) |  | 547 |  |  | 107 |  |  | — |  |  | 631 |
Equity earnings of subsidiaries |  | 1,122 |  |  | 53 |  |  | — |  |  | (1,175 | ) |  | — |
Net earnings |  | 1,175 |  |  | 983 |  |  | 192 |  |  | (1,175 | ) |  | 1,175 |
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Net earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | $ | 1,175 |  |  | $ | 983 |  |  | $ | 192 |  |  | $ | (1,175 | ) |  | $ | 1,175 |
Net earnings |  | $ | 1,175 |  |  | $ | 983 |  |  | $ | 192 |  |  | $ | (1,175 | ) |  | $ | 1,175 |
Other comprehensive earnings, net of deferred income taxes |  | 60 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 22 |  |  | (24 | ) |  | 60 |
Comprehensive earnings |  | 1,235 |  |  | 985 |  |  | 214 |  |  | (1,199 | ) |  | 1,235 |
Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc. |  | $ | 1,235 |  |  | $ | 985 |  |  | $ | 214 |  |  | $ | (1,199 | ) |  | $ | 1,235 |

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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(in millions of dollars)

|  | Altria Group, Inc. |  |  | PM USA |  |  | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries |  |  | Total Consolidating Adjustments |  |  | Consolidated |
Cash Provided by Operating Activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net cash provided by operating activities |  | $ | 845 |  |  | $ | 2,696 |  |  | $ | 136 |  |  | $ | (1,179 | ) |  | $ | 2,498 |
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Capital expenditures |  | — |  |  | (15 | ) |  | (33 | ) |  | — |  |  | (48 | )
Proceeds from finance assets |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 147 |  |  | — |  |  | 147 |
Other |  | — |  |  | 10 |  |  | (10 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |  | — |  |  | (5 | ) |  | 104 |  |  | — |  |  | 99 |
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt repaid |  | (793 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (793 | )
Repurchases of common stock |  | (192 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (192 | )
Dividends paid on common stock |  | (1,026 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,026 | )
Changes in amounts due to/from Altria Group, Inc. and subsidiaries |  | 1,750 |  |  | (1,634 | ) |  | (116 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |
Premiums and fees related to early extinguishment of debt |  | (226 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (226 | )
Cash dividends paid to parent |  | — |  |  | (1,060 | ) |  | (119 | ) |  | 1,179 |  |  | — |
Other |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (7 | ) |  | — |  |  | (7 | )
Net cash used in financing activities |  | (487 | ) |  | (2,694 | ) |  | (242 | ) |  | 1,179 |  |  | (2,244 | )
Cash and cash equivalents: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Increase (decrease) |  | 358 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | 353 |
Balance at beginning of period |  | 3,281 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 37 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,321 |
Balance at end of period |  | $ | 3,639 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 35 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,674 |

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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(in millions of dollars)

|  | Altria Group, Inc. |  |  | PM USA |  |  | Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries |  |  | Total Consolidating Adjustments |  |  | Consolidated |
Cash Provided by Operating Activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net cash provided by operating activities |  | $ | 1,076 |  |  | $ | 2,360 |  |  | $ | 91 |  |  | $ | (1,402 | ) |  | $ | 2,125 |
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Capital expenditures |  | — |  |  | (8 | ) |  | (19 | ) |  | — |  |  | (27 | )
Proceeds from finance assets |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 98 |  |  | — |  |  | 98 |
Other |  | — |  |  | 4 |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | 5 |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |  | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 80 |  |  | — |  |  | 76 |
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt repaid |  | (525 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (525 | )
Repurchases of common stock |  | (272 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (272 | )
Dividends paid on common stock |  | (957 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (957 | )
Changes in amounts due to/from Altria Group, Inc. and subsidiaries |  | 1,143 |  |  | (1,391 | ) |  | 248 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Cash dividends paid to parent |  | — |  |  | (965 | ) |  | (437 | ) |  | 1,402 |  |  | — |
Other |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2 | )
Net cash used in financing activities |  | (611 | ) |  | (2,356 | ) |  | (191 | ) |  | 1,402 |  |  | (1,756 | )
Cash and cash equivalents: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Increase (decrease) |  | 465 |  |  | — |  |  | (20 | ) |  | — |  |  | 445 |
Balance at beginning of period |  | 3,114 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 60 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,175 |
Balance at end of period |  | $ | 3,579 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | 40 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,620 |

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Altria Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 11. Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted:
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The objective of this guidance is to establish principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. For Altria Group, Inc., the new guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. Altria Group, Inc. is in the process of evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
On April 7, 2015, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, rather than as a deferred charge (i.e., an asset). For Altria Group, Inc., the new guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. The guidance requires all prior period balance sheets to be adjusted retrospectively and early adoption is permitted. Altria Group, Inc. will adopt the new guidance by the first quarter of 2016. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Altria Group, Inc. had $79 million and $83 million, respectively, of debt issuance costs included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Description of the Company
At March 31, 2015, Altria Group, Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiaries included Philip Morris USA Inc. (“PM USA”), which is engaged predominantly in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States; John Middleton Co. (“Middleton”), which is engaged in the manufacture and sale of machine-made large cigars and pipe tobacco, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PM USA; and UST LLC (“UST”), which through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC (“USSTC”) and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Ltd. (“Ste. Michelle”), is engaged in the manufacture and sale of smokeless tobacco products and wine. Altria Group, Inc.’s other operating companies included Nu Mark LLC (“Nu Mark”), a wholly-owned subsidiary that is engaged in the manufacture and sale of innovative tobacco products, and Philip Morris Capital Corporation (“PMCC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary that maintains a portfolio of finance assets, substantially all of which are leveraged leases. Other Altria Group, Inc. wholly-owned subsidiaries included Altria Group Distribution Company, which provides sales, distribution and consumer engagement services to certain Altria Group, Inc. operating subsidiaries, and Altria Client Services Inc., which provides various support services, such as legal, regulatory, finance, human resources and external affairs, to Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. In addition, Nu Mark and Middleton use third-party contract manufacturing arrangements in the manufacture of their products. Altria Group, Inc.’s access to the operating cash flows of its wholly-owned subsidiaries consists of cash received from the payment of dividends and distributions, and the payment of interest on intercompany loans by its subsidiaries. At March 31, 2015, Altria Group, Inc.’s principal wholly-owned subsidiaries were not limited by long-term debt or other agreements in their ability to pay cash dividends or make other distributions with respect to their equity interests.
At March 31, 2015, Altria Group, Inc. also held approximately 27% of the economic and voting interest of SABMiller plc (“SABMiller”), which Altria Group, Inc. accounts for under the equity method of accounting. Altria Group, Inc. receives cash dividends on its interest in SABMiller if and when SABMiller pays such dividends.
Altria Group, Inc.’s reportable segments are smokeable products, smokeless products and wine. The financial services and the innovative tobacco products businesses are included in an all other category.
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Executive Summary
The following executive summary is intended to provide significant highlights of the Discussion and Analysis that follows.
Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015: The changes in Altria Group, Inc.’s net earnings and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to Altria Group, Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from the three months ended March 31, 2014, were due primarily to the following:

| Net Earnings |  | Diluted EPS
| (in millions, except per share data)
For the three months ended March 31, 2014 | $ | 1,175 |  |  | $ | 0.59 |
2014 NPM Adjustment Items | (41 | ) |  | (0.02 | )
2014 Asset impairment and exit costs | 1 |  |  | — |
2014 Tobacco and health litigation items | 3 |  |  | — |
2014 SABMiller special items | 6 |  |  | — |
Subtotal 2014 special items | (31 | ) |  | (0.02 | )
2015 Tobacco and health litigation items | (27 | ) |  | (0.01 | )
2015 SABMiller special items | (56 | ) |  | (0.03 | )
2015 Loss on early extinguishment of debt | (143 | ) |  | (0.07 | )
2015 Tax items | (2 | ) |  | — |
Subtotal 2015 special items | (228 | ) |  | (0.11 | )
Fewer shares outstanding | — |  |  | 0.01 |
Operations | 102 |  |  | 0.05 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 | $ | 1,018 |  |  | $ | 0.52 |

See the discussion of events affecting the comparability of statement of earnings amounts in the Consolidated Operating Results section of the following Discussion and Analysis.
Fewer Shares Outstanding: Fewer shares outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared with the prior-year period were due primarily to shares repurchased by Altria Group, Inc. under its share repurchase programs.
Operations: The increase of $102 million in operations shown in the table above was due primarily to higher income from the smokeable products segment, partially offset by higher investment spending in the innovative tobacco products businesses.
For further details, see the Consolidated Operating Results and Operating Results by Business Segment sections of the following Discussion and Analysis.

2015 Forecasted Results: In April 2015, Altria Group, Inc. reaffirmed that its 2015 full-year forecast for adjusted diluted EPS growth rate is expected to be in the range of 7% to 9% over 2014 full-year adjusted diluted EPS. This forecasted growth rate excludes the net expenses in the table below.
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The factors described in the Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results section of the following Discussion and Analysis represent continuing risks to this forecast and to the other forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”).

Expense (Income), Net Excluded from Adjusted Diluted EPS
| 2015 |  | 2014
NPM Adjustment Items | $ | — |  |  | $ | (0.03 | )
Asset impairment, exit, integration and acquisition-related costs | — |  |  | 0.01 |
Tobacco and health litigation items | 0.01 |  |  | 0.01 |
SABMiller special items | 0.03 |  |  | 0.01 |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | 0.07 |  |  | 0.02 |
Tax items | — |  |  | (0.01 | )
| $ | 0.11 |  |  | $ | 0.01 |

Altria Group, Inc. reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Altria Group, Inc.’s management reviews certain financial results, including diluted EPS, on an adjusted basis, which excludes certain income and expense items that management believes are not part of underlying operations. These items may include, for example, loss on early extinguishment of debt, restructuring charges, SABMiller special items, certain tax items, charges associated with tobacco and health litigation items, and settlements of, and determinations made in connection with, disputes with certain states and territories related to the non-participating manufacturer (“NPM”) adjustment provision under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (the “MSA”) for the years 2003-2012 (such settlements and determinations are referred to collectively as “NPM Adjustment Items” and are more fully described in Health Care Cost Recovery Litigation - NPM Adjustment Disputes in Note 9. Contingencies to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q (“Item 1”)). Altria Group, Inc.’s management does not view any of these special items to be part of Altria Group, Inc.’s sustainable results as they may be highly variable, are difficult to predict and can distort underlying business trends and results. Altria Group, Inc.’s management believes that these adjusted financial measures provide useful insight into underlying business trends and results and provide a more meaningful comparison of year-over-year results. Adjusted financial measures are used by management and regularly provided to Altria Group, Inc.’s chief operating decision maker for planning, forecasting and evaluating business and financial performance, including allocating resources and evaluating results relative to employee compensation targets. These adjusted financial measures are not consistent with U.S. GAAP, and should thus be considered as supplemental in nature and not considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Altria Group, Inc.’s full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance excludes the impact of certain income and expense items, including those items noted in the preceding paragraph. Altria Group, Inc.’s management cannot estimate on a forward-looking basis the impact of these items on Altria Group, Inc.’s reported diluted EPS because these items, which could be significant, are difficult to predict and may be highly variable. As a result, Altria Group, Inc. does not provide a corresponding U.S. GAAP measure for, or a reconciliation to, its adjusted diluted EPS guidance.
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Discussion and Analysis
Consolidated Operating Results

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Net revenues: |  |  |  |
Smokeable products |  | $ | 5,221 |  |  | $ | 4,958 |
Smokeless products |  | 430 |  |  | 415 |
Wine |  | 134 |  |  | 129 |
All other |  | 19 |  |  | 15 |
Net revenues |  | $ | 5,804 |  |  | $ | 5,517 |
Excise taxes on products: |  |  |  |
Smokeable products |  | $ | 1,495 |  |  | $ | 1,474 |
Smokeless products |  | 32 |  |  | 30 |
Wine |  | 5 |  |  | 5 |
Excise taxes on products |  | $ | 1,532 |  |  | $ | 1,509 |
Operating income: |  |  |  |
Operating companies income (loss): |  |  |  |
Smokeable products |  | $ | 1,686 |  |  | $ | 1,531 |
Smokeless products |  | 251 |  |  | 239 |
Wine |  | 27 |  |  | 22 |
All other |  | (41 | ) |  | (1 | )
Amortization of intangibles |  | (5 | ) |  | (5 | )
General corporate expenses |  | (53 | ) |  | (52 | )
Operating income |  | $ | 1,865 |  |  | $ | 1,734 |

As discussed further in Note 6. Segment Reporting to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1, Altria Group, Inc.’s chief operating decision maker reviews operating companies income to evaluate the performance of, and allocate resources to, the segments. Operating companies income for the segments is defined as operating income before amortization of intangibles and general corporate expenses. Management believes it is appropriate to disclose this measure to help investors analyze the business performance and trends of the various business segments.
The following events that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 affected the comparability of statement of earnings amounts:

▪ | NPM Adjustment Items: For the three months ended March 31, 2014, PM USA recorded interest income of approximately $64 million, which reduced interest and other debt expense, net on Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated statement of earnings. This interest income represented estimated interest recorded by PM USA during the first quarter of 2014 related to the diligent enforcement rulings of the arbitration panel presiding over the NPM adjustment dispute for 2003. For further discussion, see Health Care Cost Recovery Litigation - NPM Adjustment Disputes in Note 9. Contingencies to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 (“Note 9”).

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▪Tobacco and Health Litigation Items: For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, pre-tax charges related to certain tobacco and health litigation items were recorded in Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated statements of earnings as follows:

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Smokeable products segment |  | $ | 43 |  |  | $ | 3 |
Interest and other debt expense, net |  | — |  |  | 1 |
Total |  | $ | 43 |  |  | $ | 4 |

During the first quarter of 2015, PM USA and certain other cigarette manufacturers reached a tentative agreement to resolve approximately 415 pending federal Engle progeny cases. As a result of the tentative agreement, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, PM USA recorded a pre-tax provision of approximately $43 million in marketing, administration and research costs. For further discussion, see Smoking and Health Litigation - Tentative Agreement to Resolve Federal Engle Progeny Cases in Note 9.

▪ | Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt: During the first quarter of 2015, Altria Group, Inc. completed a debt tender offer to purchase for cash $793 million aggregate principal amount of its senior unsecured 9.700% notes due 2018. As a result of the debt tender offer, during the first quarter of 2015, Altria Group, Inc. recorded a pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt of $228 million, which included premiums and fees of $226 million and the write-off of the related unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs of $2 million.

▪ | SABMiller Special Items: Altria Group, Inc.’s earnings from its equity investment in SABMiller for the three months ended March 31, 2015 included net pre-tax charges of $86 million, consisting primarily of Altria Group, Inc.’s share of SABMiller’s asset impairment charges.

Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
The following discussion compares consolidated operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 with the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Net revenues, which include excise taxes billed to customers, increased $287 million (5.2%), due primarily to higher net revenues in the smokeable products segment.
Excise taxes on products increased $23 million (1.5%), due primarily to higher smokeable products shipment volume.
Cost of sales increased $45 million (2.6%), due primarily to higher manufacturing costs in the smokeable products segment and higher investment spending in the innovative tobacco products businesses, partially offset by lower resolution expenses (due primarily to the end of the federal tobacco quota buy-out payments after the third quarter of 2014).
Marketing, administration and research costs increased $90 million (17.3%), due primarily to higher tobacco and health litigation items, higher costs in the smokeable products segment and a reduction to the allowance for losses in the financial services business in 2014.
Operating income increased $131 million (7.6%), due primarily to higher operating results from the smokeable products segment, partially offset by higher investment spending in the innovative tobacco products businesses.
Interest and other debt expense, net, increased $56 million (36.6%), due primarily to interest income recorded during the first quarter of 2014 as a result of NPM Adjustment Items.
Earnings from Altria Group, Inc.’s equity investment in SABMiller, which decreased $91 million (40.4%), were negatively affected by SABMiller special items and unfavorable currency impacts from a stronger U.S. dollar.
Net earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc. of $1,018 million decreased $157 million (13.4%), due primarily to the loss on early extinguishment of debt in 2015, lower earnings from Altria Group, Inc.’s equity investment in SABMiller and higher interest and other debt expense, net, partially offset by higher operating income. Diluted and basic EPS attributable to Altria
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Group, Inc. of $0.52, each decreased by 11.9% due primarily to lower net earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc., partially offset by fewer shares outstanding.
Operating Results by Business Segment
Tobacco Space
Business Environment
Summary
The United States tobacco industry faces a number of business and legal challenges that have adversely affected and may adversely affect the business and sales volume of our tobacco subsidiaries and our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position. These challenges, some of which are discussed in more detail below, in Note 9 and in Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results below, include:

▪ | pending and threatened litigation and bonding requirements;

▪ | the requirement to issue “corrective statements” in various media in connection with the federal government’s lawsuit;

▪ | restrictions and requirements imposed by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (“FSPTCA”), and restrictions and requirements that have been, and in the future will be, imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”);

▪ | actual and proposed excise tax increases, as well as changes in tax structures and tax stamping requirements;

▪ | bans and restrictions on tobacco use imposed by governmental entities and private establishments and employers;

▪ | other federal, state and local government actions, including:

▪ | increases in the minimum age to purchase tobacco products above the current federal minimum age of 18;

▪ | restrictions on the sale of tobacco products by certain retail establishments, the sale of certain tobacco products with certain characterizing flavors and the sale of tobacco products in certain package sizes;

▪ | additional restrictions on the advertising and promotion of tobacco products;

▪ | other actual and proposed tobacco product legislation and regulation; and

▪ | governmental investigations;

▪ | the diminishing prevalence of cigarette smoking and increased efforts by tobacco control advocates and others (including employers and retail establishments) to further restrict tobacco use;

▪ | changes in adult tobacco consumer purchase behavior, which is influenced by various factors such as economic conditions, excise taxes and price gap relationships, may result in adult tobacco consumers switching to discount products or other lower priced tobacco products;

▪ | competitive disadvantages related to cigarette price increases attributable to the settlement of certain litigation;

▪ | illicit trade in tobacco products; and

▪ | potential adverse changes in tobacco leaf price, availability and quality.

In addition to and in connection with the foregoing, evolving adult tobacco consumer preferences pose challenges for Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries. Our tobacco subsidiaries believe that a significant number of adult tobacco consumers switch between tobacco categories or use multiple forms of tobacco products and that approximately 50% of adult smokers say they are interested in trying innovative tobacco products. Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries further believe that nearly all adult smokers are aware of e-vapor products (such as electronic cigarettes) and approximately 60% have tried them. Nu Mark estimates 2014 total consumer expenditures on e-vapor products of approximately $2 billion.
Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries work to meet these evolving adult tobacco consumer preferences over time by developing, manufacturing, marketing and distributing products both within and outside the United States through innovation and adjacency growth strategies (including, where appropriate, arrangements with, or investments in, third parties). For example, Nu Mark entered the e-vapor category in 2013 with the introduction of MarkTen e-vapor products into two lead markets. Nu Mark completed the national expansion of MarkTen products in December 2014. In addition, as further discussed in Note 2. Acquisition of Green Smoke to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1, in April 2014, Nu Mark completed the acquisition of the e-vapor business of Green Smoke, Inc. and its affiliates. See the discussions regarding new
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product technologies, adjacency growth strategy and evolving consumer preferences in Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results below for certain risks associated with the foregoing discussion.
We have provided additional detail on the following topics below:
▪FSPTCA and FDA Regulation;
▪Excise Taxes;
▪International Treaty on Tobacco Control;
▪State Settlement Agreements;
▪Other Federal, State and Local Regulation and Activity;
▪Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products;

▪ | Price, Availability and Quality of Agricultural Products; and

▪Timing of Sales.
FSPTCA and FDA Regulation
The Regulatory Framework
The FSPTCA expressly establishes certain restrictions and prohibitions on our cigarette and smokeless tobacco businesses and authorizes or requires further FDA action. Under the FSPTCA, the FDA has broad authority to (1) regulate the design, manufacture, packaging, advertising, promotion, sale and distribution of cigarettes, cigarette tobacco and smokeless tobacco products; (2) require disclosures of related information; and (3) enforce the FSPTCA and related regulations.
Among other measures, the FSPTCA:

▪ | imposes restrictions on the advertising, promotion, sale and distribution of tobacco products, including at retail;

▪ | bans descriptors such as “light,” “mild” or “low” or similar descriptors when used as descriptors of modified risk unless expressly authorized by the FDA;

▪ | requires extensive product disclosures to the FDA and may require public disclosures;

▪ | prohibits any express or implied claims that a tobacco product is or may be less harmful than other tobacco products without FDA authorization;

▪ | imposes reporting obligations relating to contraband activity and grants the FDA authority to impose recordkeeping and other obligations to address illicit trade in tobacco products;

▪ | changes the language of the cigarette and smokeless tobacco product health warnings, enlarges their size and requires the development by the FDA of graphic warnings for cigarettes, and gives the FDA the authority to require new warnings;

▪ | authorizes the FDA to adopt product regulations and related actions, including imposing tobacco product standards that are appropriate for the protection of the public health (e.g., related to the use of menthol in cigarettes, nicotine yields and other constituents or ingredients) and imposing manufacturing standards for tobacco products;

▪ | establishes pre-market review pathways for new and modified tobacco products, including:

▪ | authorizing the FDA to subject tobacco products that would be modified or first introduced into the market after March 22, 2011 to application and pre-market review and authorization requirements (the “New Product Application Process”) if the FDA does not find them, as a manufacturer may contend, to be “substantially equivalent” to products commercially marketed as of February 15, 2007, and possibly to deny any such new product application, thereby preventing the distribution and sale of any product affected by such denial; and

▪ | authorizing the FDA to determine that certain existing tobacco products modified or introduced into the market for the first time between February 15, 2007 and March 22, 2011 are not “substantially equivalent” to products commercially marketed as of February 15, 2007, in which case the FDA could require the removal of such products or subject them to the New Product Application Process and, if any such applications are denied, prevent the continued distribution and sale of such products (see FDA Regulatory Actions below); and

▪ | equips the FDA with a variety of investigatory and enforcement tools, including the authority to inspect tobacco product manufacturing and other facilities.

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In April 2014, the FDA issued proposed regulations for other tobacco products, which as proposed would include machine-made large cigars, e-vapor products (such as electronic cigarettes), pipe tobacco and chewable tobacco-derived nicotine products marketed and sold by some of our tobacco subsidiaries. The proposed regulations would impose the FSPTCA regulatory framework, including the foregoing measures, on products manufactured, marketed and sold by Middleton and Nu Mark with potentially wide-ranging impact on their businesses. As discussed below in FDA Regulatory Actions - Proposed Deeming Regulations, Middleton and Nu Mark submitted comments on the proposed regulations in August 2014.
Implementation Timing, Rulemaking and Guidance
The implementation of the FSPTCA began in 2009 and will continue over time. The provisions of the FSPTCA that require the FDA to take action through rulemaking generally involve consideration of public comment and, for some issues, scientific review.
From time to time, the FDA also issues guidance for public comment, which may be issued in draft or final form. Such guidance, when finalized, is intended to represent the FDA’s current thinking on a particular topic and may be predictive of the FDA’s enforcement stance on that topic. Such guidance, even when finalized, is not intended to bind the FDA or the public or establish legally enforceable responsibilities.
Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries participate actively in processes established by the FDA to develop and implement the FSPTCA’s regulatory framework, including submission of comments to various FDA proposals and participation in public hearings and engagement sessions.
The implementation of the FSPTCA and related regulations and guidance also may have an impact on enforcement efforts by states, territories and localities of the United States of their laws and regulations as well as of the State Settlement Agreements discussed below (see State Settlement Agreements below). Such enforcement efforts may adversely affect our tobacco subsidiaries’ ability to market and sell regulated tobacco products in those states, territories and localities.
Impact on Our Business; Compliance Costs and User Fees
Regulations imposed and other regulatory actions taken by the FDA under the FSPTCA could have a material adverse effect on the business, consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries in a number of different ways. For example, actions by the FDA could:

▪ | impact the consumer acceptability of tobacco products;

▪ | delay, discontinue or prevent the sale or distribution of existing, new or modified tobacco products;

▪ | limit adult tobacco consumer choices;

▪ | impose restrictions on communications with adult tobacco consumers;

▪ | create a competitive advantage or disadvantage for certain tobacco companies;

▪ | impose additional manufacturing, labeling or packaging requirements;

▪ | impose additional restrictions at retail;

▪ | result in increased illicit trade in tobacco products; or

▪ | otherwise significantly increase the cost of doing business.

The failure to comply with FDA regulatory requirements, even inadvertently, and FDA enforcement actions could also have a material adverse effect on the business, consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries.
The FSPTCA imposes fees on tobacco product manufacturers and importers to pay for the cost of regulation and other matters. The cost of the FDA user fee is allocated first among tobacco product categories subject to FDA regulation and then among manufacturers and importers within each respective category based on their relative market shares, all as prescribed by the statute and FDA regulations. Payments for user fees are subject to adjustment for several factors, including inflation, market share and industry volume. For a discussion of the impact of the FDA user fee payments on Altria Group, Inc., see Financial Review - Debt and Liquidity - Payments Under State Settlement and Other Tobacco Agreements, and FDA Regulation below. In addition, compliance with the FSPTCA’s regulatory requirements has resulted and will continue to result in additional costs for our tobacco businesses. The amount of additional compliance and related costs has not been material in any given quarter
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or year to date but could become material, either individually or in the aggregate, and will depend on the nature of the requirements imposed by the FDA.
Investigation and Enforcement
The FDA has a number of investigatory and enforcement tools available to it, including document requests and other required information submissions, facility inspections, examinations and investigations, injunction proceedings, monetary penalties, product withdrawals and recalls, and product seizures. The use of any of these investigatory or enforcement tools by the FDA could result in significant costs to the tobacco businesses of Altria Group, Inc. or otherwise have a material adverse effect on the business, consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries.
TPSAC
The Role of the TPSAC
As required by the FSPTCA, the FDA has established a tobacco product scientific advisory committee (the “TPSAC”), which consists of voting and non-voting members, to provide advice, reports, information and recommendations to the FDA on scientific and health issues relating to tobacco products.
Challenge to TPSAC Membership
In February 2011, Lorillard Tobacco Company (“Lorillard”) and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (“R.J. Reynolds”) filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the United States Department of Health and Human Services and individual defendants (sued in their official capacities) asserting that the composition of the TPSAC and the composition of the Constituents Subcommittee of the TPSAC violates several federal laws, including the Federal Advisory Committee Act, because four of the voting members of the TPSAC have financial and other conflicts (including service as paid experts for plaintiffs in tobacco litigation). In July 2014, the district court granted plaintiffs’ summary judgment motion, in part, and denied defendants’ summary judgment motion, ordering the FDA to reconstitute the TPSAC and barring defendants from relying on the TPSAC report on menthol, discussed below. The FDA filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in September 2014.
TPSAC Action on Menthol
As mandated by the FSPTCA, in March 2011, the TPSAC submitted to the FDA a report on the impact of the use of menthol in cigarettes on the public health and related recommendations. The TPSAC report stated that “[m]enthol cigarettes have an adverse impact on public health in the United States.” The TPSAC report recommended, among other things, that the “[r]emoval of menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health in the United States.” The TPSAC report noted the potential that any ban on menthol cigarettes could lead to an increase in contraband cigarettes and other potential unintended consequences and suggested that the FDA consult with appropriate experts on this matter. The TPSAC report also recommended that additional research could address gaps in understanding menthol cigarettes.
In March 2011, PM USA submitted a report to the FDA outlining its position that neither science nor other evidence demonstrates that regulatory actions or restrictions related to the use of menthol cigarettes are warranted. The report noted PM USA’s belief that significant restrictions on the use of menthol cigarettes would have unintended consequences detrimental to public health and society. The FDA has stated that the TPSAC report is only a recommendation, and, in July 2013, the FDA released its preliminary scientific evaluation on menthol, which states “that menthol cigarettes pose a public health risk above that seen with non-menthol cigarettes.” At the same time, the FDA also issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking requesting comments on the FDA’s preliminary scientific evaluation and information that may inform potential regulatory actions regarding menthol in cigarettes or other tobacco products. In November 2013, PM USA submitted comments to the FDA raising a number of concerns with the preliminary scientific evidence, including comments demonstrating that menthol cigarettes do not affect population harm differently than non-menthol cigarettes. PM USA also reiterated that significant restrictions on the use of menthol in cigarettes would have unintended consequences detrimental to public health and society. No future action can be taken by the FDA to regulate the manufacture, marketing or sale of menthol cigarettes (including a possible ban) until the completion of the rulemaking process. As noted above, the FDA is subject to a July 2014 court order that bars it from relying on the TPSAC report, although the FDA is currently appealing that order. At this time, it is unclear how the FDA plans to proceed while that appeal is pending.
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Final Tobacco Marketing Rule
As required by the FSPTCA, the FDA re-promulgated in March 2010 a wide range of advertising and promotion restrictions in substantially the same form as regulations that were previously adopted in 1996 (but never imposed on tobacco manufacturers due to a United States Supreme Court ruling) (the “Final Tobacco Marketing Rule”). The Final Tobacco Marketing Rule:

▪ | bans the use of color and graphics in tobacco product labeling and advertising;

▪ | prohibits the sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to underage persons;

▪ | restricts the use of non-tobacco trade and brand names on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products;

▪ | requires the sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in direct, face-to-face transactions;

▪ | prohibits sampling of cigarettes and prohibits sampling of smokeless tobacco products except in qualified adult-only facilities;

▪ | prohibits gifts or other items in exchange for buying cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products;

▪ | prohibits the sale or distribution of items such as hats and tee shirts with tobacco brands or logos; and

▪ | prohibits brand name sponsorship of any athletic, musical, artistic or other social or cultural event, or any entry or team in any event.

Subject to the limitations described below, the Final Tobacco Marketing Rule took effect in June 2010. At the time of the re-promulgation of the Final Tobacco Marketing Rule, the FDA also issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the so-called “1000 foot rule,” which would establish restrictions on the placement of outdoor tobacco advertising in relation to schools and playgrounds. PM USA and USSTC submitted comments on this advance notice.
Since enactment, several lawsuits have been filed challenging various provisions of the FSPTCA and the Final Tobacco Marketing Rule, including their constitutionality and the scope of the FDA’s authority thereunder. Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries are not parties to any of these lawsuits. As a result of one such challenge (Commonwealth Brands), the portion of the Final Tobacco Marketing Rule that bans the use of color and graphics in labeling and advertising is unenforceable by the FDA. For a further discussion of the Final Tobacco Marketing Rule and the status of graphic warnings for cigarette packages and advertising, see FDA Regulatory Actions - Graphic Warnings below.
In a separate lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of an FDA regulation that restricts tobacco manufacturers from using the trade or brand name of a non-tobacco product on cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products, the case was dismissed without prejudice pursuant to a stipulation by which the FDA agreed not to enforce the current or any amended trade name rule against plaintiffs until at least 180 days after rulemaking on the amended rule concludes. This relief only applies to plaintiffs in the case. However, in May 2010, the FDA issued guidance on the use of non-tobacco trade and brand names applicable to all cigarette and smokeless tobacco product manufacturers. This guidance indicated the FDA’s intention not to commence enforcement actions under the regulation while it considers how to address the concerns raised by various manufacturers. In November 2011, the FDA proposed an amended rule, but has not yet issued a final rule.
FDA Regulatory Actions
Graphic Warnings
In June 2011, as required by the FSPTCA, the FDA issued its final rule to modify the required warnings that appear on cigarette packages and in cigarette advertisements. The FSPTCA requires the warnings to consist of nine new textual warning statements accompanied by color graphics depicting the negative health consequences of smoking. The graphic health warnings will (i) be located beneath the cellophane, and comprise the top 50% of the front and rear panels of cigarette packages and (ii) occupy 20% of a cigarette advertisement and be located at the top of the advertisement. After a legal challenge to the rule initiated by R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard and several other plaintiffs, in which plaintiffs prevailed both at the federal trial and appellate levels, the FDA decided not to seek further review of the U.S. Court of Appeals’ decision and announced its plans to propose a new graphic warnings rule in the future.
Substantial Equivalence and Other New Product Processes/Pathways
In January 2011, the FDA issued guidance concerning reports that manufacturers must submit for certain FDA-regulated tobacco products that the manufacturer modified or introduced for the first time into the market after February 15, 2007. These reports must be reviewed by the FDA to determine if such tobacco products are “substantially equivalent” to products
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commercially available as of February 15, 2007. In general, in order to continue marketing these products sold before March 22, 2011, manufacturers of FDA-regulated tobacco products were required to send to the FDA a report demonstrating substantial equivalence by March 22, 2011. PM USA and USSTC submitted timely reports. PM USA and USSTC can continue marketing these products unless the FDA makes a determination that a specific product is not substantially equivalent. If the FDA ultimately makes such a determination, it could require the removal of such products or subject them to the New Product Application Process and, if any such applications are denied, prevent the continued distribution and sale of such products. While PM USA and USSTC believe that all of their current products meet the statutory requirements of the FSPTCA, they cannot predict whether, when or how the FDA ultimately will apply its guidance to their various respective substantial equivalence reports or seek to enforce the law and regulations consistent with its guidance.
Manufacturers intending to introduce new products and certain modified products into the market after March 22, 2011 must submit a report to the FDA and obtain a “substantial equivalence order” from the FDA before introducing the products into the market. If the FDA declines to issue a so-called “substantial equivalence order” for a product or if the manufacturer itself determines that the product does not meet the substantial equivalence requirements, the product would need to undergo the New Product Application Process.
The FDA began announcing its decisions on substantial equivalence reports in the second quarter of 2013. However, there are a significant number of substantial equivalence reports for which the FDA has not announced decisions. At this time, it is not possible to predict how long reviews by the FDA of substantial equivalence reports or new product applications will take.
In March 2015, the FDA issued a document entitled “Guidance for Industry: Demonstrating the Substantial Equivalence of a New Tobacco Product: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions.” In that document, the FDA announced that (i) certain label changes, and (ii) changes to the quantity of tobacco product(s) in a package, would each require submission of newly required substantial equivalence reports and authorization from the FDA prior to marketing tobacco products with such changes, even when the tobacco product itself is not changed. In order to continue marketing products that had undergone such label or quantity changes before the FDA’s issuance of the new requirements, manufacturers were required to submit one of the newly required substantial equivalence reports by April 3, 2015. PM USA and USSTC submitted timely reports and are therefore authorized to continue marketing these products unless the FDA makes a determination to the contrary. Going forward, manufacturers must submit one of the newly required reports for the FDA’s review at least 90 days in advance of making covered label or quantity changes. In some instances, prior to making such changes, manufacturers must wait for the FDA to determine whether to authorize marketing of the product with the changed label or quantity.
On April 14, 2015, PM USA, USSTC and other tobacco product manufacturers filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against the FDA, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and the heads of both agencies seeking to declare these new requirements invalid and to enjoin defendants from enforcing them.
Good Manufacturing Practices
The FSPTCA requires that the FDA promulgate good manufacturing practice regulations for tobacco product manufacturers, but does not specify a timeframe for such regulations. In 2013, the FDA obtained input through a public docket on proposed Good Manufacturing Practice regulations recommended to the FDA by a group of tobacco companies, including PM USA and USSTC.
Proposed Deeming Regulations
As noted above in FSPTCA and FDA Regulation - The Regulatory Framework, the FDA proposed regulations in April 2014 that would impose the FSPTCA regulatory framework on machine-made large cigars, e-vapor products (such as electronic cigarettes), pipe tobacco and chewable tobacco-derived nicotine products. Nu Mark and Middleton submitted comments on the proposed regulations in August 2014. Nu Mark’s submission covers a number of topics, including its perspective on (1) the guiding principles that the FDA should follow to help ensure successful implementation of the deeming regulation, (2) the potential for e-vapor products and other tobacco-derived nicotine products to reduce tobacco-related harm and (3) the establishment of product approval pathways that encourage innovation of potentially reduced harm products. Middleton’s comments covered its perspective on the overall regulation of cigars and on the use of the word “mild” in the Black & Mild brand name. The proposed regulations suggested that the FDA may apply the descriptor prohibition to cigars and pipe tobacco, which could potentially prohibit the use of the word “Mild” in the Black & Mild brand name. As reflected in the comments, Middleton believes neither the FDA’s regulatory authority nor the First or Fifth Amendments to the United States Constitution allow the FDA to ban words such as “mild” regardless of the context and that the FDA can only prohibit the word “mild” when used as a descriptor of modified risk.
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Excise Taxes
Tobacco products are subject to substantial excise taxes in the United States. Significant increases in tobacco-related taxes or fees have been proposed or enacted (including with respect to e-vapor products) and are likely to continue to be proposed or enacted at the federal, state and local levels within the United States.
Federal, state and local excise taxes have increased substantially over the past decade, far outpacing the rate of inflation. By way of example, in 2009, the federal excise tax (“FET”) on cigarettes increased from $0.39 per pack to approximately $1.01 per pack, in 2010, the New York state excise tax increased by $1.60 to $4.35 per pack and in October 2014, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania enacted a $2.00 per pack local cigarette excise tax. Between the end of 1998 and April 20, 2015, the weighted-average state and certain local cigarette excise taxes increased from $0.36 to $1.49 per pack. As of April 20, 2015, no state has increased its cigarette excise tax in 2015. The President’s 2015 Budget proposes significant increases in the FET for all tobacco products. The proposed budget would increase the FET on a pack of cigarettes by $0.94 per pack, raising the total FET to $1.95 per pack, and would also increase the tax on other tobacco products by a proportionate amount. It is not possible to predict whether this proposed FET increase will be enacted.
Tax increases are expected to continue to have an adverse impact on sales of the tobacco products of our tobacco subsidiaries through lower consumption levels and the potential shift in adult consumer purchases from the premium to the non-premium or discount segments or to other low-priced or low-taxed tobacco products or to counterfeit and contraband products. Such shifts may have an adverse impact on the sales volume and reported share performance of tobacco products of Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries.
A majority of states currently tax smokeless tobacco products using an ad valorem method, which is calculated as a percentage of the price of the product, typically the wholesale price. This ad valorem method results in more tax being paid on premium products than is paid on lower-priced products of equal weight. Altria Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries support legislation to convert ad valorem taxes on smokeless tobacco to a weight-based methodology because, unlike the ad valorem tax, a weight-based tax subjects cans of equal weight to the same tax. As of April 20, 2015, the federal government, 22 states, Puerto Rico, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cook County, Illinois have adopted a weight-based tax methodology for smokeless tobacco.
International Treaty on Tobacco Control
The World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (the “FCTC”) entered into force in February 2005. As of April 20, 2015, 179 countries, as well as the European Community, have become parties to the FCTC. While the United States is a signatory of the FCTC, it is not currently a party to the agreement, as the agreement has not been submitted to, or ratified by, the United States Senate. The FCTC is the first international public health treaty and its objective is to establish a global agenda for tobacco regulation with the purpose of reducing initiation of tobacco use and encouraging cessation. The treaty recommends (and in certain instances, requires) signatory nations to enact legislation that would, among other things: establish specific actions to prevent youth tobacco product use; restrict or eliminate all tobacco product advertising, marketing, promotion and sponsorship; initiate public education campaigns to inform the public about the health consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke and the benefits of quitting; implement regulations imposing product testing, disclosure and performance standards; impose health warning requirements on packaging; adopt measures intended to combat tobacco product smuggling and counterfeit tobacco products, including tracking and tracing of tobacco products through the distribution chain; and restrict smoking in public places.
There are a number of proposals currently under consideration by the governing body of the FCTC, some of which call for substantial restrictions on the manufacture, marketing, distribution and sale of tobacco products. In addition, the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (the “Protocol”) was approved by the Conference of Parties to the FCTC in November 2012. It includes provisions related to the tracking and tracing of tobacco products through the distribution chain and numerous other provisions regarding the regulation of the manufacture, distribution and sale of tobacco products. The Protocol has not yet entered into force, but in any event will not apply to the United States until the Senate ratifies the FCTC and until the President signs, and the Senate ratifies, the Protocol. It is not possible to predict the outcome of these proposals or the impact of any FCTC actions on legislation or regulation in the United States, either indirectly or as a result of the United States becoming a party to the FCTC, or whether or how these actions might indirectly influence FDA regulation and enforcement.
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State Settlement Agreements
As discussed in Note 9, during 1997 and 1998, PM USA and other major domestic tobacco product manufacturers entered into the State Settlement Agreements. These settlements require participating manufacturers to make substantial annual payments, which are adjusted for several factors, including inflation, market share and industry volume. For a discussion of the impact of the State Settlement Agreements on Altria Group, Inc., see Financial Review - Debt and Liquidity - Payments Under State Settlement and Other Tobacco Agreements, and FDA Regulation below and Note 9. The State Settlement Agreements also place numerous requirements and restrictions on participating manufacturers’ business operations, including prohibitions and restrictions on the advertising and marketing of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. Among these are prohibitions of outdoor and transit brand advertising, payments for product placement and free sampling (except in adult-only facilities). Restrictions are also placed on the use of brand name sponsorships and brand name non-tobacco products. The State Settlement Agreements also place prohibitions on targeting youth and the use of cartoon characters. In addition, the State Settlement Agreements require companies to affirm corporate principles directed at reducing underage use of cigarettes; impose requirements regarding lobbying activities; mandate public disclosure of certain industry documents; limit the industry’s ability to challenge certain tobacco control and underage use laws; and provide for the dissolution of certain tobacco-related organizations and place restrictions on the establishment of any replacement organizations.
In November 1998, USSTC entered into the Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (the “STMSA”) with the attorneys general of various states and United States territories to resolve the remaining health care cost reimbursement cases initiated against USSTC. The STMSA required USSTC to adopt various marketing and advertising restrictions. USSTC is the only smokeless tobacco manufacturer to sign the STMSA.
Other Federal, State and Local Regulation and Activity
Federal, State and Local Regulation
A number of states and localities have enacted or proposed legislation that imposes restrictions on tobacco products (including innovative tobacco products, such as e-vapor products), such as legislation that (1) prohibits the sale of certain tobacco products with certain characterizing flavors, (2) requires the disclosure of health information separate from or in addition to federally-mandated health warnings and (3) restricts commercial speech or imposes additional restrictions on the marketing or sale of tobacco products (including proposals to ban all tobacco product sales or to increase the legal age to purchase tobacco products above the current federal minimum age requirement of 18). The legislation varies in terms of the type of tobacco products, the conditions under which such products are or would be restricted or prohibited, and exceptions to the restrictions or prohibitions. For example, a number of proposals involving characterizing flavors would prohibit smokeless tobacco products with characterizing flavors without providing an exception for mint- or wintergreen-flavored products.
Whether other states or localities will enact legislation in these areas, and the precise nature of such legislation if enacted, cannot be predicted. Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries have challenged and will continue to challenge certain state and local legislation, including through litigation. For example, in January 2014, PM USA, Middleton and a USSTC subsidiary, along with other tobacco product manufacturers and three trade associations representing New York City retailers, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York challenging the coupon/discount ban included in a recently-enacted New York City ordinance on the grounds that it violates the First Amendment and is preempted by federal and state law. In June 2014, the district court upheld the ordinance.
Health Effects of Tobacco Consumption and Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (“ETS”)
It is the policy of Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries to defer to the judgment of public health authorities as to the content of warnings in advertisements and on product packaging regarding the health effects of tobacco consumption, addiction and exposure to ETS. Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries believe that the public should be guided by the messages of the United States Surgeon General and public health authorities worldwide in making decisions concerning the use of tobacco products.
Reports with respect to the health effects of smoking have been publicized for many years, including in a January 2014 United States Surgeon General report titled “The Health Consequences of Smoking - 50 Years of Progress” and in a June 2006 United States Surgeon General report on ETS titled “The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke.”
Most jurisdictions within the United States have restricted smoking in public places. Some public health groups have called for, and various jurisdictions have adopted or proposed, bans on smoking in outdoor places, in private apartments and in cars
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transporting minors. It is not possible to predict the results of ongoing scientific research or the types of future scientific research into the health risks of tobacco exposure and the impact of such research on regulation.
Other Legislation or Governmental Initiatives
In addition to the actions discussed above, other regulatory initiatives affecting the tobacco industry have been adopted or are being considered at the federal level and in a number of state and local jurisdictions. For example, in recent years, legislation has been introduced or enacted at the state or local level to subject tobacco products to various reporting requirements and performance standards (such as reduced cigarette ignition propensity standards); establish educational campaigns relating to tobacco consumption or tobacco control programs, or provide additional funding for governmental tobacco control activities; restrict the sale of tobacco products in certain retail establishments and the sale of tobacco products in certain package sizes; require tax stamping of moist smokeless tobacco (“MST”) products; require the use of state tax stamps using data encryption technology; and further restrict the sale, marketing and advertising of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Such legislation may be subject to constitutional or other challenges on various grounds, which may or may not be successful.
It is not possible to predict what, if any, additional legislation, regulation or other governmental action will be enacted or implemented (and, if challenged, upheld) relating to the manufacturing, design, packaging, marketing, advertising, sale or use of tobacco products, or the tobacco industry generally. It is possible, however, that legislation, regulation or other governmental action could be enacted or implemented that would materially adversely affect the business and volume of our tobacco subsidiaries and our consolidated results of operations and cash flows.
Governmental Investigations
From time to time, Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are subject to governmental investigations on a range of matters. Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries cannot predict whether new investigations may be commenced.
Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products
Illicit trade in tobacco products can have an adverse impact on the businesses of Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries. Illicit trade can take many forms, including the sale of counterfeit tobacco products; the sale of tobacco products in the United States that are intended for sale outside the country; the sale of tobacco products over the Internet and by other means designed to avoid the collection of applicable taxes; and diversion into one taxing jurisdiction of tobacco products intended for sale in another. Counterfeit tobacco products, for example, are manufactured by unknown third parties in unregulated environments. Counterfeit versions of PM USA, USSTC or Middleton products can negatively affect adult tobacco consumer experiences with and opinions of those brands. Illicit trade in tobacco products also harms law-abiding wholesalers and retailers by depriving them of lawful sales and undermines the significant investment Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries have made in legitimate distribution channels. Moreover, illicit trade in tobacco products results in federal, state and local governments losing tax revenues. Losses in tax revenues can cause such governments to take various actions, including increasing excise taxes; imposing legislative or regulatory requirements that may adversely impact Altria Group, Inc.’s consolidated results of operations and cash flows and the businesses of its tobacco subsidiaries; or asserting claims against manufacturers of tobacco products or members of the trade channels through which such tobacco products are distributed and sold.
Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries devote significant resources to help prevent illicit trade in tobacco products and to protect legitimate trade channels. For example, Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries are engaged in a number of initiatives to help prevent illicit trade in tobacco products, including communication with wholesale and retail trade members regarding illicit trade in tobacco products and how they can help prevent such activities; enforcement of wholesale and retail trade programs and policies that address illicit trade in tobacco products; engagement with and support of law enforcement and regulatory agencies; litigation to protect their trademarks; and support for a variety of federal and state legislative initiatives. Legislative initiatives to address illicit trade in tobacco products are designed to protect the legitimate channels of distribution, impose more stringent penalties for the violation of illegal trade laws and provide additional tools for law enforcement. Regulatory measures and related governmental actions to prevent the illicit manufacture and trade of tobacco products continue to evolve as the nature of illicit tobacco products evolves.
Price, Availability and Quality of Agricultural Products
Shifts in crops (such as those driven by economic conditions and adverse weather patterns), government mandated prices and production control programs may increase or decrease the cost or reduce the supply or quality of tobacco and other agricultural products used to manufacture our products. As with other agriculture commodities, the price of tobacco leaf can be
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influenced by economic conditions and imbalances in supply and demand and crop quality and availability can be influenced by variations in weather patterns, including those caused by climate change. Tobacco production in certain countries is subject to a variety of controls, including government mandated prices and production control programs. Changes in the patterns of demand for agricultural products and the cost of tobacco production could impact tobacco leaf prices and tobacco supply. Any significant change in the price, quality or availability of tobacco leaf or other agricultural products used to manufacture our products could adversely affect our subsidiaries’ profitability and businesses.
Timing of Sales
In the ordinary course of business, our tobacco subsidiaries are subject to many influences that can impact the timing of sales to customers, including the timing of holidays and other annual or special events, the timing of promotions, customer incentive programs and customer inventory programs, as well as the actual or speculated timing of pricing actions and tax-driven price increases.
Operating Results
The following discussion compares operating results for the smokeable and smokeless products segments for the three months ended March 31, 2015, with the three months ended March 31, 2014.

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | Net Revenues |  | Operating Companies Income
|  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Smokeable products |  | $ | 5,221 |  |  | $ | 4,958 |  |  | $ | 1,686 |  |  | $ | 1,531 |
Smokeless products |  | 430 |  |  | 415 |  |  | 251 |  |  | 239 |
Total smokeable and smokeless products |  | $ | 5,651 |  |  | $ | 5,373 |  |  | $ | 1,937 |  |  | $ | 1,770 |

Smokeable products segment
The smokeable products segment’s net revenues, operating companies income and operating companies income margin increased during the three months ended March 31, 2015, due primarily to higher pricing. PM USA grew Marlboro’s retail share and its total cigarette retail share versus the prior-year period.
The following table summarizes the smokeable products segment shipment volume performance:

| Shipment Volume
| For the Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change
| (sticks in millions)
Cigarettes: |  |  |  |  |
Marlboro | 25,117 |  |  | 24,816 |  |  | 1.2 | %
Other premium | 1,578 |  |  | 1,629 |  |  | (3.1 | )%
Discount | 2,503 |  |  | 2,304 |  |  | 8.6 | %
Total cigarettes | 29,198 |  |  | 28,749 |  |  | 1.6 | %
Cigars: |  |  |  |  |
Black & Mild | 298 |  |  | 270 |  |  | 10.4 | %
Other | 4 |  |  | 4 |  |  | — | %
Total cigars | 302 |  |  | 274 |  |  | 10.2 | %
Total smokeable products | 29,500 |  |  | 29,023 |  |  | 1.6 | %

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Cigarettes shipment volume includes Marlboro; Other premium brands, such as Virginia Slims, Parliament and Benson & Hedges; and Discount brands, which include L&M and Basic. Cigarettes volume includes units sold as well as promotional units, but excludes units sold in Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories, to overseas military and by Philip Morris Duty Free Inc., none of which, individually or in the aggregate, is material to the smokeable products segment.
The following table summarizes the smokeable products segment retail share performance:

| Retail Share
| For the Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Percentage Point Change
Cigarettes: |  |  |  |  |
Marlboro | 44.0 | % |  | 43.7 | % |  | 0.3 |
Other premium | 2.8 |  |  | 2.9 |  |  | (0.1 | )
Discount | 4.3 |  |  | 4.1 |  |  | 0.2 |
Total cigarettes | 51.1 | % |  | 50.7 | % |  | 0.4 |
Cigars: |  |  |  |  |
Black & Mild | 27.1 | % |  | 27.7 | % |  | (0.6 | )
Other | 0.3 |  |  | 0.2 |  |  | 0.1 |
Total cigars | 27.4 | % |  | 27.9 | % |  | (0.5 | )

Retail share results for cigarettes are based on data from IRI/Management Science Associate Inc., a tracking service that uses a sample of stores and certain wholesale shipments to project market share and depict share trends. Retail share results for cigars are based on data from IRI InfoScan, a tracking service that uses a sample of stores to project market share and depict share trends. Both services track sales in the food, drug and mass merchandisers (including Wal-Mart), convenience, military, dollar store and club trade classes. For other trade classes selling cigarettes, retail share is based on shipments from wholesalers to retailers through the Store Tracking Analytical Reporting System (“STARS”). These services are not designed to capture sales through other channels, including the internet, direct mail and some illicitly tax-advantaged outlets. Retail share results for cigars are based on data for machine-made large cigars. Middleton defines machine-made large cigars as cigars, made by machine, that weigh greater than three pounds per thousand, except cigars sold at retail in packages of 20 cigars. Because the cigars service represents retail share performance only in key trade channels, it should not be considered a precise measurement of actual retail share. It is IRI’s standard practice to periodically refresh its services, which could restate retail share results that were previously released in these services.
PM USA and Middleton executed the following pricing and promotional allowance actions during 2014:

▪ | Effective November 16, 2014, PM USA reduced its wholesale promotional allowance on L&M by $0.07 per pack. In addition, PM USA increased the list price on all of its other cigarette brands by $0.07 per pack.

▪ | Effective May 11, 2014, PM USA reduced its wholesale promotional allowance on Marlboro and L&M by $0.06 per pack. In addition, PM USA increased the list price on all of its other cigarette brands by $0.06 per pack, except for Parliament, which PM USA increased by $0.11 per pack.

Net revenues, which include excise taxes billed to customers, increased $263 million (5.3%), due primarily to higher pricing and higher shipment volume ($99 million). Operating companies income increased $155 million (10.1%), due primarily to higher pricing, higher shipment volume ($50 million) and lower resolution expenses (due principally to the end of the federal tobacco quota buy-out payments after the third quarter of 2014). These factors were partially offset by higher costs (due primarily to higher pension and benefit costs, and the timing of marketing, administration and research costs) and higher tobacco and health litigation items ($40 million).
Total smokeable products shipment volume for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased 1.6% versus the prior-year period. PM USA’s reported domestic cigarettes shipment volume increased 1.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2015, benefiting from a moderation in the industry’s rate of decline, trade inventory movements and retail share gains. When adjusted
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for trade inventory changes and other factors, PM USA estimates that its first-quarter 2015 domestic cigarettes shipment volume was essentially unchanged, and that total industry cigarette volumes declined approximately 0.5% for the same period.
PM USA’s shipments of premium cigarettes accounted for 91.4% of its reported domestic cigarettes shipment volume for the three months ended March 31, 2015 versus 92.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Middleton’s reported cigars shipment volume for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased 10.2%, driven primarily by Black & Mild’s performance in the tipped cigars segment.
Marlboro’s retail share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased 0.3 share points versus the prior-year period.
PM USA grew its total retail share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 by 0.4 share points, versus the prior-year period, due to retail share gains by Marlboro and by L&M in Discount, partially offset by share losses on other portfolio brands.
In the total machine-made large cigars category, Black & Mild’s retail share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased 0.6 share points. Middleton continued to concentrate on the more profitable, tipped cigars segment, where Black & Mild gained share.
Smokeless products segment
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the smokeless products segment grew operating companies income and expanded operating companies income margin. USSTC also increased Copenhagen and Skoal’s combined retail share versus the prior-year period.
The following table summarizes smokeless products segment shipment volume performance:

|  | Shipment Volume
|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change
|  | (cans and packs in millions)
Copenhagen |  | 110.1 |  |  | 103.9 |  |  | 6.0 | %
Skoal |  | 64.0 |  |  | 64.0 |  |  | — | %
Copenhagen and Skoal |  | 174.1 |  |  | 167.9 |  |  | 3.7 | %
Other |  | 17.0 |  |  | 18.2 |  |  | (6.6 | )%
Total smokeless products |  | 191.1 |  |  | 186.1 |  |  | 2.7 | %

Smokeless products shipment volume includes cans and packs sold, as well as promotional units, but excludes international volume, which is not material to the smokeless products segment. Other includes certain USSTC and PM USA smokeless products. New types of smokeless products, as well as new packaging configurations of existing smokeless products, may or may not be equivalent to existing MST products on a can-for-can basis. To calculate volumes of cans and packs shipped, one pack of snus, irrespective of the number of pouches in the pack, is assumed to be equivalent to one can of MST.
The following table summarizes smokeless products segment retail share performance (excluding international volume):

|  | Retail Share
|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Percentage Point Change
Copenhagen |  | 31.3 | % |  | 30.3 | % |  | 1.0 |
Skoal |  | 19.9 |  |  | 20.4 |  |  | (0.5 | )
Copenhagen and Skoal |  | 51.2 |  |  | 50.7 |  |  | 0.5 |
Other |  | 3.7 |  |  | 4.0 |  |  | (0.3 | )
Total smokeless products |  | 54.9 | % |  | 54.7 | % |  | 0.2 |

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Retail share results for smokeless products are based on data from IRI InfoScan, a tracking service that uses a sample of stores to project market share and depict share trends. The service tracks sales in the food, drug and mass merchandisers (including Wal-Mart), convenience, military, dollar store and club trade classes on the number of cans and packs sold. Smokeless products is defined by IRI as moist smokeless and spit-free tobacco products. Other includes certain USSTC and PM USA smokeless products. New types of smokeless products, as well as new packaging configurations of existing smokeless products, may or may not be equivalent to existing MST products on a can-for-can basis. One pack of snus, irrespective of the number of pouches in the pack, is assumed to be equivalent to one can of MST. All other products are considered to be equivalent on a can-for-can basis. Because this service represents retail share performance only in key trade channels, it should not be considered a precise measurement of actual retail share. It is IRI’s standard practice to periodically refresh its InfoScan services, which could restate retail share results that were previously released in this service.
USSTC executed the following pricing actions during 2014:

▪ | Effective November 25, 2014, USSTC increased the list price on all its brands by $0.07 per can.

▪ | Effective May 11, 2014, USSTC increased the list price on all of its brands by $0.06 per can.

Net revenues, which include excise taxes billed to customers, increased $15 million (3.6%) and operating companies income increased $12 million (5.0%). These increases were due primarily to higher pricing, which includes higher promotional investments.
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, reported domestic smokeless products shipment volume increased 2.7%. Copenhagen and Skoal’s combined reported shipment volume for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased 3.7% versus the prior-year period.
After adjusting for trade inventory changes and other factors, USSTC estimates that domestic smokeless products shipment volume grew approximately 4% in the first quarter of 2015. USSTC estimates that the smokeless products category volume grew approximately 2% over the 12 months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to approximately 5.5% over the 12 months ended March 31, 2014. USSTC continues to believe that the smokeless category’s growth rate is best determined over a longer time horizon and will continue to monitor industry volume closely.
Copenhagen and Skoal’s combined retail share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased 0.5 share points to 51.2%, versus the prior-year period. Copenhagen’s retail share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased 1.0 share point, while Skoal’s retail share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 declined 0.5 share points.
Retail share for the smokeless products segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased 0.2 share points to 54.9%, versus the prior-year period.
Wine segment
Business Environment
Ste. Michelle is a leading producer of Washington state wines, primarily Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest and 14 Hands, and owns wineries in or distributes wines from several other wine regions and foreign countries. Ste. Michelle holds an 85% ownership interest in Michelle-Antinori, LLC, which owns Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley. Ste. Michelle also owns Conn Creek in Napa Valley and Erath in Oregon. In addition, Ste. Michelle imports and markets Antinori, Torres and Villa Maria Estate wines and Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte in the United States. Key elements of Ste. Michelle’s strategy are expanded domestic distribution of its wines, especially in certain account categories such as restaurants, wholesale clubs, supermarkets, wine shops and mass merchandisers, and a focus on improving product mix to higher-priced, premium products.
Ste. Michelle’s business is subject to significant competition, including competition from many larger, well-established domestic and international companies, as well as from many smaller wine producers. Wine segment competition is primarily based on quality, price, consumer and trade wine tastings, competitive wine judging, third-party acclaim and advertising. Substantially all of Ste. Michelle’s sales occur through state-licensed distributors.
Federal, state and local governmental agencies regulate the alcohol beverage industry through various means, including licensing requirements, pricing, labeling and advertising restrictions, and distribution and production policies. Further
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regulatory restrictions or additional excise or other taxes on the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages may have an adverse effect on Ste. Michelle’s wine business.
Operating Results
Ste. Michelle increased its net revenues and operating companies income for the three months ended March 31, 2015, due primarily to improved premium mix. Ste. Michelle expanded its operating companies income margin during the first quarter of 2015.
The following discussion compares wine segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2015, with the three months ended March 31, 2014.

|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (in millions)
Net revenues |  | $ | 134 |  |  | $ | 129 |
Operating companies income |  | $ | 27 |  |  | $ | 22 |

The following table summarizes wine segment case shipment volume performance:

|  | Shipment Volume
|  | For the Three Months Ended March 31,
|  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change
|  | (cases in thousands)
Chateau Ste. Michelle |  | 551 |  |  | 573 |  |  | (3.8 | )%
Columbia Crest |  | 227 |  |  | 192 |  |  | 18.2 | %
14 Hands |  | 381 |  |  | 386 |  |  | (1.3 | )%
Other |  | 553 |  |  | 552 |  |  | 0.2 | %
Total wine |  | 1,712 |  |  | 1,703 |  |  | 0.5 | %

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, net revenues, which include excise taxes billed to customers, increased $5 million (3.9%), and operating companies income increased $5 million (22.7%). These increases were due primarily to improved premium mix.
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, Ste. Michelle’s reported wine shipment volume increased 0.5% as increased volume of Columbia Crest was mostly offset by declines in Chateau Ste. Michelle and 14 Hands.
Financial Review
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
During the first three months of 2015, net cash provided by operating activities was $2,498 million compared with $2,125 million during the first three months of 2014. This increase was due primarily to higher net revenues in the smokeable products segment and the timing of spending related to working capital requirements.
Altria Group, Inc. had a working capital deficit at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Altria Group, Inc.’s management believes that it has the ability to fund these working capital deficits with cash provided by operating activities and/or short-term borrowings under its commercial paper program as discussed in the Debt and Liquidity section below.
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Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
During the first three months of 2015, net cash provided by investing activities was $99 million compared with $76 million during the first three months of 2014. This increase was due primarily to higher proceeds from asset sales in the financial services business during the first three months of 2015.
Cash Used in Financing Activities
During the first three months of 2015, cash used in financing activities was $2,244 million compared with $1,756 million during the first three months of 2014. This increase was due primarily to the following:

▪ | debt tender offer completed during the first three months of 2015, which resulted in the repurchase of $793 million of senior unsecured long-term notes and a $226 million payment of premiums and fees, as more fully described in Note 8. Debt to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 (“Note 8”); and

▪ | higher dividends paid during the first three months of 2015;

partially offset by:

▪ | $525 million repayment of Altria Group, Inc. senior unsecured notes at scheduled maturity during the first three months of 2014; and

▪ | higher share repurchases during the first three months of 2014.

Debt and Liquidity
Credit Ratings - Altria Group, Inc.’s cost and terms of financing and its access to commercial paper markets may be impacted by applicable credit ratings. Under the terms of certain of Altria Group, Inc.’s existing debt instruments, a change in a credit rating could result in an increase or a decrease of the cost of borrowings. For instance, the interest rate payable on certain of Altria Group, Inc.’s outstanding notes is subject to adjustment from time to time if the rating assigned to the notes of such series by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“Standard & Poor’s”) is downgraded (or subsequently upgraded) as and to the extent set forth in the notes. The impact of credit ratings on the cost of borrowings under Altria Group, Inc.’s credit agreement is discussed below.
At March 31, 2015, the credit ratings and outlook for Altria Group, Inc.’s indebtedness by major credit rating agencies were:

| Short-term Debt |  | Long-term Debt |  | Outlook
Moody’s | P-2 |  | Baa1 |  | Stable
Standard & Poor’s | A-2 |  | BBB+ |  | Stable
Fitch Ratings Ltd. | F2 |  | BBB+ |  | Stable

Credit Lines - From time to time, Altria Group, Inc. has short-term borrowing needs to meet its working capital requirements and generally uses its commercial paper program to meet those needs. As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and as of December 31, 2014, Altria Group, Inc. had no short-term borrowings.
At March 31, 2015, Altria Group, Inc. had in place a senior unsecured 5-year revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for borrowings up to an aggregate principal amount of $3.0 billion and expires August 19, 2019, with an option, subject to certain conditions, for Altria Group, Inc. to extend the expiration date for an additional one-year period. Pricing for interest and fees under the Credit Agreement may be modified in the event of a change in the rating of Altria Group, Inc.’s long-term senior unsecured debt. Interest rates on borrowings under the Credit Agreement are expected to be based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a percentage based on the higher of the ratings of Altria Group, Inc.’s long-term senior unsecured debt from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. The applicable percentage based on Altria Group, Inc.’s long-term senior unsecured debt ratings at March 31, 2015 for borrowings under the Credit Agreement was 1.25%. The Credit Agreement does not include any other rating triggers, nor does it contain any provisions that could require the posting of collateral. At March 31, 2015, credit available to Altria Group, Inc. under the Credit Agreement was $3.0 billion.
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The Credit Agreement is used for general corporate purposes and to support Altria Group, Inc.’s commercial paper issuances. The Credit Agreement requires that Altria Group, Inc. maintain (i) a ratio of debt to consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of not more than 3.0 to 1.0 and (ii) a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense of not less than 4.0 to 1.0, each calculated as of the end of the applicable quarter on a rolling four quarters basis. At March 31, 2015, the ratios of debt to consolidated EBITDA and consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, calculated in accordance with the Credit Agreement, were 1.7 to 1.0 and 10.0 to 1.0, respectively. Altria Group, Inc. expects to continue to meet its covenants associated with the Credit Agreement. The terms “consolidated EBITDA,” “debt” and “consolidated interest expense,” as defined in the Credit Agreement, include certain adjustments. Exhibit 99.3 to Altria Group, Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2013 sets forth the definitions of these terms as they appear in the Credit Agreement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Any commercial paper issued by Altria Group, Inc. and borrowings under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by PM USA as further discussed in Note 10. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 (“Note 10”).
Financial Market Environment - Altria Group, Inc. believes it has adequate liquidity and access to financial resources to meet its anticipated obligations and ongoing business needs in the foreseeable future. Altria Group, Inc. continues to monitor the credit quality of its bank group and is not aware of any potential non-performing credit provider in that group. Altria Group, Inc. believes the lenders in its bank group will be willing and able to advance funds in accordance with their legal obligations. See the discussion below regarding access to debt capital markets in Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results for certain risk factors associated with the foregoing discussion.
Debt - At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Altria Group, Inc.’s total debt was $13.9 billion and $14.7 billion, respectively.
As discussed in Note 8, during the first quarter of 2015, Altria Group, Inc. completed a debt tender offer to purchase for cash $793 million aggregate principal amount of its senior unsecured 9.700% notes due 2018.
Guarantees and Other Similar Matters - As discussed in Note 9, Altria Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries had unused letters of credit obtained in the ordinary course of business, guarantees (including third-party guarantees) and a redeemable noncontrolling interest outstanding at March 31, 2015. From time to time, subsidiaries of Altria Group, Inc. also issue lines of credit to affiliated entities. In addition, as discussed in Note 10, PM USA has issued guarantees relating to Altria Group, Inc.’s obligations under its outstanding debt securities, borrowings under the Credit Agreement and amounts outstanding under its commercial paper program. These items have not had, and are not expected to have, a significant impact on Altria Group, Inc.’s liquidity.
Payments Under State Settlement and Other Tobacco Agreements, and FDA Regulation - As discussed previously and in Note 9, PM USA has entered into State Settlement Agreements with the states and territories of the United States that call for certain payments. PM USA, Middleton, and USSTC were also subject to payment obligations imposed by the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 (“FETRA”). The FETRA payment obligations expired after the third quarter of 2014. In addition, in June 2009, PM USA and USSTC became subject to quarterly user fees imposed by the FDA as a result of the FSPTCA. Payments under the State Settlement Agreements, FETRA and the FDA user fees are based on variable factors, such as volume, market share and inflation, depending on the subject payment. Altria Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries account for the cost of the State Settlement Agreements, FETRA and FDA user fees as a component of cost of sales. As a result of the State Settlement Agreements, FETRA and FDA user fees, Altria Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries recorded approximately $1.1 billion of charges to cost of sales for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The amount for the three months ended March 31, 2015 included a decrease in the charge to cost of sales of approximately $100 million, reflecting the expiration of the obligations imposed by FETRA after the third quarter of 2014.
In connection with the settlement of the NPM Adjustment disputes under the MSA for the years 2003-2012, the formula for allocating the revised NPM Adjustments applicable to the signatory states for 2013 and subsequent years among the tobacco product manufacturers that are original signatories to the MSA (“OPMs”) has been modified in a manner favorable to PM USA, although the extent to which it remains favorable to PM USA will depend upon future developments. For a detailed discussion of settlements of, and determinations made in connection with, disputes with certain states and territories related to the NPM Adjustment provision under the MSA for the years 2003-2012, see Health Care Cost Recovery Litigation - NPM Adjustment Disputes in Note 9.
Based on current agreements, 2014 market share and historical annual industry volume decline rates, the estimated amounts that Altria Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries may charge to cost of sales for payments related to State Settlement Agreements and
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FDA user fees approximate $4.6 billion in 2015 and each year thereafter. The decrease in these amounts compared with approximately $4.9 billion charged to cost of sales in 2014 reflects the expiration of obligations imposed by FETRA after the third quarter of 2014. These estimated amounts exclude the potential impact of the revised and streamlined NPM Adjustment provision applicable to signatory states for years after 2014 discussed above.
The estimated amounts due under the State Settlement Agreements charged to cost of sales in each year would generally be paid in the following year. The amounts charged to cost of sales for FDA user fees are generally paid in the quarter in which the fees are incurred. As previously stated, the payments due under the terms of the State Settlement Agreements and FDA user fees are subject to adjustment for several factors, including volume, inflation and certain contingent events and, in general, are allocated based on each manufacturer’s market share. The future payment amounts discussed above are estimates, and actual payment amounts will differ to the extent underlying assumptions differ from actual future results.
Litigation-Related Deposits and Payments - With respect to certain adverse verdicts currently on appeal, to obtain stays of judgments pending appeals, as of March 31, 2015, PM USA had posted various forms of security totaling approximately $59 million, the majority of which have been collateralized with cash deposits. These cash deposits are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Although litigation is subject to uncertainty and an adverse outcome or settlement of litigation could have a material adverse effect on the financial position, cash flows or results of operations of PM USA, UST or Altria Group, Inc. in a particular fiscal quarter or fiscal year, as more fully disclosed in Note 9 and in Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results, management expects cash flow from operations, together with Altria Group, Inc.’s access to capital markets, to provide sufficient liquidity to meet ongoing business needs.
Leases - PMCC’s investment in leases is included in the line item finance assets, net, on Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. At March 31, 2015, PMCC’s net finance receivables of approximately $1.4 billion in leveraged leases, which are included in finance assets, net, on Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated balance sheet, consisted of rents receivable ($2.4 billion) and the residual value of assets under lease ($0.8 billion), reduced by third-party nonrecourse debt ($1.4 billion) and unearned income ($0.4 billion). The repayment of the nonrecourse debt is collateralized by lease payments receivable and the leased property, and is nonrecourse to the general assets of PMCC. As required by U.S. GAAP, the third-party nonrecourse debt has been offset against the related rents receivable and has been presented on a net basis within finance assets, net, on Altria Group, Inc.’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance assets, net, of $1.4 billion at March 31, 2015, also included an allowance for losses.
Equity and Dividends
On January 28, 2015, Altria Group, Inc. granted an aggregate of 1.2 million shares of restricted stock units (also known as deferred stock) to eligible employees. Restrictions on 1.0 million and 0.2 million of these shares lapse in the first quarters of 2018 and 2020, respectively. The market value per share was $54.56 on the date of grant.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 1.6 million shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units vested. The total fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $84 million. The weighted-average grant date fair value per share of these awards was $28.51.
Dividends paid during the first three months of 2015 and 2014 were $1,026 million and $957 million, respectively, an increase of 7.2%, reflecting a higher dividend rate, partially offset by fewer shares outstanding as a result of shares repurchased by Altria Group, Inc. under its share repurchase programs discussed below. Altria Group, Inc. expects to continue to maintain a dividend payout ratio target of approximately 80% of its adjusted diluted EPS. The current annualized dividend rate is $2.08 per Altria Group, Inc. common share. Future dividend payments remain subject to the discretion of Altria Group, Inc.’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”).
In July 2014, the Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion share repurchase program (the “July 2014 share repurchase program”), which Altria Group, Inc. expects to complete by the end of 2015. At March 31, 2015, Altria Group, Inc. had approximately $326 million remaining in the July 2014 share repurchase program. For further discussion of Altria Group, Inc.’s share repurchase programs, see Note 1. Background and Basis of Presentation to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 and Part II, Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds of this Form 10-Q.
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Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted
See Note 11. Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 for a discussion of recent accounting guidance issued but not yet adopted.
Contingencies
See Note 9 for a discussion of contingencies.
Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
We (1) may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements, including earnings guidance and other statements contained in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), reports to security holders, press releases and investor webcasts. You can identify these forward-looking statements by use of words such as “strategy,” “expects,” “continues,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “will,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “projects,” “goals,” “objectives,” “guidance,” “targets” and other words of similar meaning. You can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.
We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized, although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. You should bear this in mind as you consider forward-looking statements and whether to invest in or remain invested in Altria Group, Inc.’s securities. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are identifying important factors that, individually or in the aggregate, could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made by us; any such statement is qualified by reference to the following cautionary statements. We elaborate on these and other risks we face throughout this Form 10-Q, particularly in the “Business Environment” sections preceding our discussion of the operating results of our subsidiaries’ businesses above. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors. Consequently, you should not consider the following to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that we may make from time to time except as required by applicable law.
Unfavorable litigation outcomes could materially adversely affect the consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc., or the businesses of one or more of its subsidiaries.
Legal proceedings covering a wide range of matters are pending or threatened in various United States and foreign jurisdictions against Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including PM USA and UST and its subsidiaries, as well as their respective indemnitees. Various types of claims may be raised in these proceedings, including product liability, consumer protection, antitrust, tax, contraband-related claims, patent infringement, employment matters, claims for contribution and claims of competitors and distributors.
Litigation is subject to uncertainty and it is possible that there could be adverse developments in pending or future cases. An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending tobacco-related or other litigation could encourage the commencement of additional litigation. Damages claimed in some tobacco-related or other litigation are significant and, in certain cases, range in the billions of dollars. The variability in pleadings in multiple jurisdictions, together with the actual experience of management in litigating claims, demonstrate that the monetary relief that may be specified in a lawsuit bears little relevance to the ultimate outcome. In certain cases, plaintiffs claim that defendants’ liability is joint and several. In such cases, Altria Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries may face the risk that one or more co-defendants decline or otherwise fail to participate in the bonding required for an appeal or to pay their proportionate or jury-allocated share of a judgment. As a result, Altria Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries under certain circumstances may have to pay more than their proportionate share of any bonding- or judgment-related amounts. Furthermore, in those cases where plaintiffs are successful, Altria Group, Inc. or its subsidiaries may also be required to pay interest and attorneys’ fees.
___________________________________________________
1 This section uses the terms “we,” “our” and “us” when it is not necessary to distinguish among Altria Group, Inc. and its various operating subsidiaries or when any distinction is clear from the context.
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Although PM USA has historically been able to obtain required bonds or relief from bonding requirements in order to prevent plaintiffs from seeking to collect judgments while adverse verdicts have been appealed, there remains a risk that such relief may not be obtainable in all cases. This risk has been substantially reduced given that 46 states and Puerto Rico now limit the dollar amount of bonds or require no bond at all. As discussed in Note 9, tobacco litigation plaintiffs have challenged the constitutionality of Florida’s bond cap statute in several cases and plaintiffs may challenge state bond cap statutes in other jurisdictions as well. Such challenges may include the applicability of state bond caps in federal court. Although we cannot predict the outcome of such challenges, it is possible that the consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc., or the businesses of one or more of its subsidiaries, could be materially adversely affected in a particular fiscal quarter or fiscal year by an unfavorable outcome of one or more such challenges.
In certain litigation, PM USA faces potentially significant non-monetary remedies. For example, in the lawsuit brought by the United States Department of Justice, discussed in Note 9, the district court did not impose monetary penalties but ordered significant non-monetary remedies, including the issuance of “corrective statements” in various media.
Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries have achieved substantial success in managing litigation. Nevertheless, litigation is subject to uncertainty, and significant challenges remain.
It is possible that the consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc., or the businesses of one or more of its subsidiaries, could be materially adversely affected in a particular fiscal quarter or fiscal year by an unfavorable outcome or settlement of certain pending litigation. Altria Group, Inc. and each of its subsidiaries named as a defendant believe, and each has been so advised by counsel handling the respective cases, that it has valid defenses to the litigation pending against it, as well as valid bases for appeal of adverse verdicts. Each of the companies has defended, and will continue to defend, vigorously against litigation challenges. However, Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries may enter into settlement discussions in particular cases if they believe it is in the best interests of Altria Group, Inc. to do so. See Note 9 and Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to this Form 10-Q for a discussion of pending tobacco-related litigation.
Significant federal, state and local governmental actions, including actions by the FDA, and various private sector actions may continue to have an adverse impact on our tobacco subsidiaries’ businesses.
As described in Tobacco Space - Business Environment above, PM USA faces significant governmental and private sector actions, including efforts aimed at reducing the incidence of tobacco use and efforts seeking to hold PM USA responsible for the adverse health effects associated with both smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. These actions, combined with the diminishing social acceptance of smoking, have resulted in reduced cigarette industry volume, and we expect that these factors will continue to reduce cigarette consumption levels.
Actions by the FDA and other federal, state or local governments or agencies, including those actions described in Tobacco Space - Business Environment, may impact the consumer acceptability of tobacco products, limit adult tobacco consumer choices, delay or prevent the launch of new or modified tobacco products or products with claims of reduced risk, restrict communications to adult tobacco consumers, restrict the ability to differentiate tobacco products, create a competitive advantage or disadvantage for certain tobacco companies, impose additional manufacturing, labeling or packing requirements, require the recall or other removal of tobacco products from the marketplace (including as a result of product contamination), interrupt manufacturing or otherwise significantly increase the cost of doing business, or restrict or prevent the use of specified tobacco products in certain locations or the sale of tobacco products by certain retail establishments. Any one or more of these actions may have a material adverse impact on the business, consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries.
Tobacco products are subject to substantial taxation, which could have an adverse impact on sales of the tobacco products of Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries.
Tobacco products are subject to substantial excise taxes, and significant increases in tobacco product-related taxes or fees have been proposed or enacted and are likely to continue to be proposed or enacted within the United States at the state, federal and local levels. Tax increases are expected to continue to have an adverse impact on sales of the tobacco products of our tobacco subsidiaries through lower consumption levels and the potential shift in adult consumer purchases from the premium to the non-premium or discount segments or to other low-priced or low-taxed tobacco products or to counterfeit and contraband products. Such shifts may have an adverse impact on the reported share performance of tobacco products of Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries. For further discussion, see Tobacco Space - Business Environment - Excise Taxes above.
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Our tobacco businesses face significant competition and their failure to compete effectively could have an adverse effect on the business of Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries.
Each of Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries operates in highly competitive tobacco categories. Settlements of certain tobacco litigation in the United States, among other factors, have resulted in substantial cigarette price increases. PM USA faces competition from lowest priced brands sold by certain United States and foreign manufacturers that have cost advantages because they are not parties to these settlements. These manufacturers may fail to comply with related state escrow legislation or may avoid escrow deposit obligations on the majority of their sales by concentrating on certain states where escrow deposits are not required or are required on fewer than all such manufacturers’ cigarettes sold in such states. Additional competition has resulted from diversion into the United States market of cigarettes intended for sale outside the United States, the sale of counterfeit cigarettes by third parties, the sale of cigarettes by third parties over the Internet and by other means designed to avoid collection of applicable taxes, and imports of foreign lowest priced brands. USSTC faces significant competition in the smokeless tobacco category and has experienced consumer down-trading to lower-priced brands. In the cigar category, additional competition has resulted from increased imports of machine-made large cigars manufactured offshore.
Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries may be unsuccessful in anticipating changes in adult consumer preferences, responding to changes in consumer purchase behavior or managing through difficult economic conditions.
Each of our tobacco and wine subsidiaries is subject to intense competition and changes in adult consumer preferences. To be successful, they must continue to:
▪promote brand equity successfully;

▪ | anticipate and respond to new and evolving adult consumer preferences;

▪ | develop, manufacture, market and distribute products that appeal to adult consumers (including, where appropriate, through arrangements with, or investments in, third parties);

▪improve productivity; and

▪ | protect or enhance margins through cost savings and price increases.

See Tobacco Space - Business Environment - Summary above for additional discussion concerning evolving adult tobacco consumer preferences, including increased consumer awareness of, and expenditures on, e-vapor products. Continued growth of this product category could further contribute to reductions in cigarette consumption levels and cigarette industry sales volume and could adversely affect the growth rates of other tobacco products.
The willingness of adult consumers to purchase premium consumer product brands depends in part on economic conditions. In periods of economic uncertainty, adult consumers may purchase more discount brands and/or, in the case of tobacco products, consider lower-priced tobacco products, which could have a material adverse effect on the business, consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our tobacco and wine subsidiaries work to broaden their brand portfolios to compete effectively with lower-priced products.
Our financial services business (conducted through PMCC) holds investments in finance leases, principally in transportation (including aircraft), power generation and manufacturing equipment and facilities. Its lessees are also subject to intense competition and economic conditions. If parties to PMCC’s leases fail to manage through difficult economic and competitive conditions, PMCC may have to increase its allowance for losses, which would adversely affect our earnings.
Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries may be unsuccessful in developing and commercializing adjacent products or processes, including innovative tobacco products that may reduce the health risks associated with current tobacco products and that appeal to adult tobacco consumers, which may have an adverse effect on their ability to grow new revenue streams.
Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries have growth strategies involving moves and potential moves into adjacent products or processes, including innovative tobacco products. Some innovative tobacco products may reduce the health risks associated with current tobacco products, while continuing to offer adult tobacco consumers (within and outside the United States) products that meet their taste expectations and evolving preferences. Examples include tobacco-containing and nicotine-containing products that reduce or eliminate exposure to cigarette smoke and/or constituents identified by public health authorities as harmful. These efforts may include arrangements with, or investments in, third parties. Our tobacco subsidiaries may not succeed in these efforts, which would have an adverse effect on the ability to grow new revenue streams.
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Further, we cannot predict whether regulators, including the FDA, will permit the marketing or sale of products with claims of reduced risk to consumers, the speed with which they may make such determinations or whether regulators will impose an unduly burdensome regulatory framework on such products. Nor can we predict whether adult tobacco consumers’ purchasing decisions would be affected by such claims if permitted. Adverse developments on any of these matters could negatively impact the commercial viability of such products.
If our tobacco subsidiaries do not succeed in their efforts to develop and commercialize innovative tobacco products or to obtain regulatory approval for the marketing or sale of products with claims of reduced risk, but one or more of their competitors do succeed, our tobacco subsidiaries may be at a competitive disadvantage.
Significant changes in tobacco leaf price, availability or quality could have an adverse effect on the profitability and business of Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries.
Any significant change in tobacco leaf prices, quality or availability could adversely affect our tobacco subsidiaries’ profitability and business. For further discussion, see Tobacco Space - Business Environment - Price, Availability and Quality of Agricultural Products above.
Because Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries rely on a few significant facilities and a small number of significant suppliers, an extended disruption at a facility or in service by a supplier could have a material adverse effect on the business, the consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries.
Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries face risks inherent in reliance on a few significant facilities and a small number of significant suppliers. A natural or man-made disaster or other disruption that affects the manufacturing operations of any of Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries or the operations of any significant suppliers of any of Altria Group, Inc.’s tobacco subsidiaries could adversely impact the operations of the affected subsidiaries. An extended disruption in operations experienced by one or more of Altria Group, Inc.’s subsidiaries or significant suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the business, the consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position of Altria Group, Inc. and its tobacco subsidiaries.
Altria Group, Inc. may be unable to attract and retain the best talent due to the impact of decreasing social acceptance of tobacco usage and tobacco control actions.
Our ability to implement our strategy of attracting and retaining the best talent may be impaired by the impact of decreasing social acceptance of tobacco usage and tobacco regulation and control actions. The tobacco industry competes for talent with the consumer products industry and other companies that enjoy greater societal acceptance. As a result, we may be unable to attract and retain the best talent.
Acquisitions or other events may adversely affect Altria Group, Inc.’s credit rating, and Altria Group, Inc. may not achieve its anticipated strategic or financial objectives.
Altria Group, Inc. from time to time considers acquisitions and may engage in confidential acquisition negotiations that are not publicly announced unless and until those negotiations result in a definitive agreement. Although we seek to maintain or improve our credit ratings over time, it is possible that completing a given acquisition or other event could impact our credit ratings or the outlook for those ratings. Any such change in ratings or outlook may negatively affect the amount of credit available to us and may also increase our costs and adversely affect our earnings or our dividend rate. Furthermore, acquisition opportunities are limited, and acquisitions present risks of failing to achieve efficient and effective integration, strategic objectives and anticipated revenue improvements and cost savings. There can be no assurance that we will be able to acquire attractive businesses on favorable terms, that we will realize any of the anticipated benefits from an acquisition or that acquisitions will be quickly accretive to earnings.
Disruption and uncertainty in the debt capital markets could adversely affect Altria Group, Inc.’s access to the debt capital markets, earnings and dividend rate.
Access to the debt capital markets is important for us to satisfy our liquidity and financing needs. Disruption and uncertainty in the credit and debt capital markets and any resulting adverse impact on credit availability, pricing, credit terms or credit rating may negatively affect the amount of credit available to us and may also increase our costs and adversely affect our earnings or our dividend rate.
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Altria Group, Inc.’s reported earnings from and carrying value of its equity investment in SABMiller may be adversely affected by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates and other factors.
For purposes of financial reporting, the earnings from and carrying value of our equity investment in SABMiller are translated into U.S. dollars from various local currencies. During times of a strengthening U.S. dollar against these currencies, our reported earnings from and carrying value of our equity investment in SABMiller will be reduced because the local currencies will translate into fewer U.S. dollars. The earnings from and carrying value of our equity investment in SABMiller are also subject to the risks encountered by SABMiller in its business.
Altria Group, Inc. may be required to write down intangible assets, including goodwill, due to impairment, which would reduce earnings.
We periodically calculate the fair value of our reporting units and intangible assets to test for impairment. This calculation may be affected by several factors, including general economic conditions, regulatory developments, changes in category growth rates as a result of changing adult consumer preferences, success of planned new product introductions, competitive activity and tobacco-related taxes. If an impairment is determined to exist, we will incur impairment losses, which will reduce our earnings.
Competition, unfavorable changes in grape supply and new governmental regulations or revisions to existing governmental regulations could adversely affect Ste. Michelle’s wine business.
Ste. Michelle’s business is subject to significant competition, including from many large, well-established domestic and international companies. The adequacy of Ste. Michelle’s grape supply is influenced by consumer demand for wine in relation to industry-wide production levels as well as by weather and crop conditions, particularly in eastern Washington. Supply shortages related to any one or more of these factors could increase production costs and wine prices, which ultimately may have a negative impact on Ste. Michelle’s sales. In addition, federal, state and local governmental agencies regulate the alcohol beverage industry through various means, including licensing requirements, pricing, labeling and advertising restrictions, and distribution and production policies. New regulations or revisions to existing regulations, resulting in further restrictions or taxes on the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages, may have an adverse effect on Ste. Michelle’s wine business. For further discussion, see Wine Segment - Business Environment above.
The failure of Altria Group, Inc.’s information systems to function as intended, or the penetration by outside parties intent on disrupting business processes, could result in significant costs, loss of revenue, assets or personal or other sensitive data and reputational harm.
Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries use information systems to help manage business processes, collect and interpret business data and communicate internally and externally with employees, investors, suppliers, trade customers, adult tobacco consumers and others. Many of these information systems are managed by third-party service providers. We have backup systems and business continuity plans in place and we take care to protect our systems and data from unauthorized access. Nevertheless, failure of our systems to function as intended, or penetration of our systems by outside parties intent on extracting or corrupting information or otherwise disrupting business processes, could result in loss of revenue, assets or personal or other sensitive data, cause damage to the reputation of our companies and their brands and result in legal challenges and significant remediation and other costs to Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Unfavorable outcomes of any governmental investigations could materially affect the businesses of Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
From time to time, Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are subject to governmental investigations on a range of matters. We cannot predict whether new investigations may be commenced or the outcome of such investigations, and it is possible that our business could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome of future investigations.
Expanding international business operations subjects Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries to various United States and foreign laws and regulations, and violations of such laws or regulations could result in reputational harm, legal challenges and/or significant costs.
While Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in business activities in the United States, they do engage (directly or indirectly) in certain international business activities that are subject to various United States and foreign laws and regulations, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other laws prohibiting bribery and corruption. Although we have a Code of Conduct and a compliance system designed to prevent and detect violations of applicable law, no system can
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provide assurance that it will always protect against improper actions by employees or third parties. Violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could result in reputational harm, legal challenges and/or significant costs.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Altria Group, Inc. carried out an evaluation, with the participation of Altria Group, Inc.’s management, including Altria Group, Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of Altria Group, Inc.’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, Altria Group, Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Altria Group, Inc.’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There have been no changes in Altria Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Altria Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting.
Part II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
See Note 9 for a discussion of legal proceedings pending against Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. See also Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to this Form 10-Q.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Information regarding Risk Factors appears under Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results in Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Form 10-Q (“Item 2”) and in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“Form 10-K”). Other than as set forth in Item 2, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
The Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion share repurchase program in July 2014, which Altria Group, Inc. expects to complete by the end of 2015. The timing of share repurchases under the July 2014 share repurchase program depends upon marketplace conditions and other factors, and the program remains subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Altria Group, Inc.’s share repurchase activity for each of the three months in the period ended March 31, 2015, was as follows:

Period |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) |  | Average Price Paid Per Share |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |  | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1 - 31, 2015 |  | 1,150,227 |  |  | $ | 52.65 |  |  | 1,104,609 |  |  | $ | 460,257,793 |
February 1 - 28, 2015 |  | 1,585,270 |  |  | $ | 54.49 |  |  | 1,036,800 |  |  | $ | 403,674,022 |
March 1 - 31, 2015 |  | 1,546,020 |  |  | $ | 52.37 |  |  | 1,493,000 |  |  | $ | 325,609,900 |
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2015 |  | 4,281,517 |  |  | $ | 53.23 |  |  | 3,634,409 |  |  |

(1) | The total number of shares purchased include (a) shares purchased under the July 2014 share repurchase program (which totaled 1,104,609 shares in January, 1,036,800 shares in February and 1,493,000 shares in March) and (b) shares withheld by Altria Group, Inc. in an amount equal to statutory withholding taxes for holders who vested in restricted stock and restricted stock units, and forfeitures of restricted stock for which consideration was paid in connection with termination of employment of certain employees (which totaled 45,618 shares in January, 548,470 in February and 53,020 shares in March).

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Item 6. Exhibits.

10.1 | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Altria Group, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2015 (File No. 1-08940).

10.2 | Time Sharing Termination Letter from Altria Client Services Inc. to David R. Beran, dated February 27, 2015.

10.3 | Agreement and General Release between Altria Group, Inc. and David R. Beran, dated March 12, 2015.

12 | Statements regarding computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.

31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

99.1 | Certain Litigation Matters.

99.2 | Trial Schedule for Certain Cases.

99.3 | Definitions of Terms Related to Financial Covenants included in Altria Group, Inc.’s Amended and Restated 5-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2013. Incorporated by reference to Altria Group, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2013 (File No. 1-08940).

101.INS XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
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Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ALTRIA GROUP, INC.
/s/ WILLIAM F. GIFFORD, JR.
William F. Gifford, Jr.
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
April 23, 2015
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