<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001214659-23-005319.txt : 20230413
<SEC-HEADER>0001214659-23-005319.hdr.sgml : 20230413
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20230413081806
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001214659-23-005319
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	PX14A6G
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20230413
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20230413
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20230413

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALTRIA GROUP, INC.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000764180
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CIGARETTES [2111]
		IRS NUMBER:				133260245
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		PX14A6G
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08940
		FILM NUMBER:		23817119

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6601 WEST BROAD STREET
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23230
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(804) 274-2200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6601 WEST BROAD STREET
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23230

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ALTRIA GROUP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20030127

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PHILIP MORRIS COMPANIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

FILED BY:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SISTERS OF ST FRANCIS OF PHILADELPHIA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001519001
		IRS NUMBER:				231352545
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		PX14A6G

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		606 SOUTH CONVENT ROAD
		CITY:			ASTON
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19014
		BUSINESS PHONE:		610-558-7661

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		606 SOUTH CONVENT ROAD
		CITY:			ASTON
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19014
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<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>


<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">CIVIL RIGHTS AUDIT AT ALTRIA GROUP</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Commentary on Shareholder Resolution Seeking
an Independent Civil Rights Audit</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Name of the Registrant: Altria Group</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Name of persons relying on exemption: Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth,
NJ, Bon Secours Mercy Health, Congregation of St. Joseph, OH, Mercy Investment Services, Providence St. Joseph Health, Province of St.
Joseph of the Capuchin Order (Midwest Capuchins).</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Address of persons relying on exemption: Sisters of St. Francis of
Philadelphia, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Written materials are submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-6(g)(1) promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Submission is not required of this filer under the terms of the Rule, but is made voluntarily
in the interest of public disclosure and consideration of these important issues.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>The proponents urge stockholders to vote FOR Proposal 6, the shareholder
proposal requesting a Racial Equity Audit at Chevron Corporation&rsquo;s annual shareholder meeting to be held on May 18, 2023.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Summary of the Proposal </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Proponents request the Board of Directors to commission and publish
the results of an independent Civil Rights Audit, analyzing if, and how, Chevron&rsquo;s policies and practices discriminate against or
disparately impact communities of color, youth, or other groups. The report should identify and recommend steps to eliminate business
activities that further systemic racism, environmental injustice, threaten civil rights, influence underage people, or present barriers
to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia seeks your support<SUP>1</SUP>
for the <B>Proposal on the Altria Group</B> (&ldquo;Altria&rdquo;, or &ldquo;the Company&rdquo;) 2023 proxy ballot. The resolved clause
states:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B><I>&nbsp;</I></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in"><B><I>RESOLVED: </I></B><I>Shareholders of Altria, Inc. (&ldquo;Altria&rdquo;)
request that the Board of Directors commission a third-party civil rights equity audit to review its corporate policies, practices, products
and services, above legal and regulatory matters; to assess the impact of the Company&rsquo;s policies, practices, products and services
on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) and Latinx/a/o/e communities, including youth. Input from civil rights organizations,
employees, customers, and communities in which Altria operates and other stakeholders should be considered. A report on the audit, prepared
at reasonable cost and omitting confidential or proprietary information, should be publicly disclosed on Altria&rsquo;s website.</I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">We are the lead filers of this proposal, which has been co-filed by
other concerned investors, including the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, NJ, Bon Secours Mercy Health, Congregation of St. Joseph,
OH, Mercy Investment Services, Providence St. Joseph Health, and the Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order (Midwest Capuchins).</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">_____________________________</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><SUP>1</SUP> This is not a solicitation of authority to vote your proxy.
Please DO NOT send us your proxy card; the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia is not able to vote your proxies, nor does this communication
contemplate such an event. The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia urges shareholders to vote for this proposal following the instruction
provided on the management&rsquo;s proxy mailing.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Our Rationale to vote FOR:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">As producers of products that are not only highly addictive, but deadly,
tobacco manufacturers have an obligation to market and sell those products as responsibly as possible. No other ingestible consumer products
carry such stark health warnings on both packaging and advertisements. Our aim is not to keep the Company from manufacturing and selling
its chosen product line, but to ensure that the method of achieving its sales does not target based on race, while providing sufficient
transparency for shareholders to be able to evaluate these strategies, as well as to ensure sufficient internal accountability to safeguard
the alignment of its operations with company mission, values, and ethics.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Altria&rsquo;s lack of transparency poses risks to the Company. Investors
are increasingly examining companies&rsquo; marketing strategies, and Altria faces reputational risk as a result.<SUP>2</SUP> The tobacco
manufacturing industry as a whole, has a long and sordid history of deceiving the public through its marketing practices.<SUP>3</SUP>
Advertising, product placement, social media, and sponsorships have all been used to target African Americans<SUP>4</SUP>, teens and other
youth<SUP>5</SUP>, and women and girls<SUP>6</SUP>. Through investigations and Congressional testimony, it&rsquo;s been well documented
that deceit and predatory practices have defined the industry&rsquo;s promotional playbook.<SUP>7</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>SUMMARY</B></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol">&middot;</FONT></TD><TD>Altria was spun off from Philip Morris Companies because Philip Morris wished to emphasize that its business portfolio had come to
consist of more than Philip Morris USA and Philip Morris International.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol">&middot;</FONT></TD><TD>The Company speaks in growing terms of its approach to responsible marketing of its combustible and non-combustible tobacco products,
meaning they &ldquo;limit reach, access and appeal to unintended audiences&rdquo;.<SUP>8</SUP> However, they do not discuss the challenges
and failures that have contributed to generational epidemics of tobacco use among youth.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol">&middot;</FONT></TD><TD>Altria&rsquo;s lack of transparency around its historical marketing <B>poses risks to its already precarious reputation</B>, troubling
in a highly regulated industry and given the rise of public awareness.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Symbol">&middot;</FONT></TD><TD><B>Current board oversight structures are insufficient</B> given the public scrutiny of the<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">se highly
addictive products. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>_____________________________</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>2</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Tobacco
Industry Marketing | American Lung Association</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>3</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">The
History Of Tobacco Marketing: It&rsquo;s a Scary Story. | Tobacco Stops With Me</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>4</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Menthol
cigarettes will be banned. They were aimed heavily at Black smokers : NPR</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>5</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">0008.pdf
(tobaccofreekids.org)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>6</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">New
Report Details Tobacco Industry's Predatory Marketing to Women and Girls and the Devastating Health Consequences (prnewswire.com)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>7</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">The
Tobacco Industry Lies, Deceit &amp; Manipulation Stop Here - UNDO.org</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>8</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Responsible
Marketing - Altria</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><I>A Civil Rights Audit addresses racial inequities</I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>In the wake of attempts in the U.S. to ban flavored tobacco, including
traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes, Altria has doubled down on its efforts to target African Americans.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Beginning in the 1950s, cigarette manufacturers initiated campaigns
to aggressively target and reach Black Americans. Advertising focused on building markets for menthol flavored cigarettes in Black communities.
These campaigns, which included free cigarette giveaways in Black markets, sponsorships of music and street festivals, and point of sale
targeting, have been responsible for menthol cigarettes now being used by 85% of Black Americans.<SUP>9</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">With legislation to ban menthol flavors currently being considered,
the tobacco industry has focused on a newer strategy &ndash; philanthropy and engagement in the Black community. <SUP>10</SUP> Tobacco
companies continue to contribute to African American organizations and political leaders. The tobacco industry and its leading companies
have supported the National Action Network, a civil rights organization founded by Reverend Al Sharpton, law enforcement groups, including
the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and the National Black Police Association (NBPA), and the National
Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a trade association representing more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers.<SUP>11</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Many Black political leaders and African American-led community organizations
have been convinced to parrot tobacco industry talking points, particularly on opposing a ban on menthol, while many others have remained
skeptical of the industry&rsquo;s motives in supporting their causes. The tobacco industry has attempted to enlist the support of Black
and Hispanic organizations as it fights the ban by raising fears that a ban would result in the &ldquo;over-criminalization and mass incarceration
of people of color&rdquo;.<SUP>12</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><I>The need for an independent, third-party audit on the civil rights
impacts on internal and external stakeholders</I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>The Company has offered to conduct an internal audit, which will
be reviewed, after completion, by an external advisory board chosen by the company. </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">A comprehensive civil rights audit is necessary to accurately evaluate
how Altria&rsquo;s policies are being implemented and to gauge the effectiveness of their initiatives. For example, Altria published a
&ldquo;Responsible Marketing&rdquo; report on the company&rsquo;s website enumerating their efforts to prevent tobacco use among people
under the age of 21.<SUP>13</SUP> However, young people still initiate smoking before they are legally eligible to smoke and Marlboro,
an Altria brand, continues to <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">be among the most popular cigarette products among youth.<SUP>14</SUP></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Similarly, the percentage of African Americans who smoke that use menthol
cigarettes is more than three times the rate of white Americans<SUP>15</SUP>, due to the targeting of this population by tobacco companies.
Altria owns approximately 26% of the U.S. menthol market, meaning a significant portion of Altria&rsquo;s customer base is African Americans.<SUP>16</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">_____________________________</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>9</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">0400.pdf
(tobaccofreekids.org)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>10</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Shameless
Hypocrisy: Altria&rsquo;s&hellip; | Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (tobaccofreekids.org)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>11</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">0400.pdf
(tobaccofreekids.org)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>12</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Big
Tobacco Hooked Black Americans On Menthols. Now It Fights Ban As Racial Injustice. | HuffPost Latest News</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>13</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Responsible
Marketing - Altria</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>14</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Three
cigarette brands account for most American teen smoking | University of Michigan News (umich.edu)</FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>15</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Tobacco
Use in Racial and Ethnic Populations | American Lung Association</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>16</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Altria
(MO) Q1 2021 earnings beat (cnbc.com)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Several large, international companies have recently completed, or
are currently performing civil rights or racial equity audits. Among those companies are Tyson Foods, Johnson &amp; Johnson, Wells Fargo,
Facebook, Airbnb, Bank of America, Blackrock, Pfizer, and Verizon. These audits have been conducted by third party audit firms whose job
it is to provide an independent examination of equity within an organization, and offer a concrete plan of action to address potential
gaps.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">As written by the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance&rsquo;s
October 23, 2021 paper on Racial Equity audits, <I>&ldquo;A Racial Equity Audit is, at its core, <B>an independent, objective and holistic
analysis of a company&rsquo;s policies, practices, products, services and efforts to combat systemic racism</B> in order to end discrimination
within or exhibited by the company with respect to its customers, suppliers or other stakeholders. Not only are Racial Equity Audits designed
to help inform investors about their current and future investments from a social and financial perspective, but are also intended to
help companies craft their policies and practices to achieve their social justice goals.&rdquo;<SUP>17</SUP></I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">A company offering to review its own policies and practices on their
effectiveness and relevancy is not only a massive conflict of interest, but asking company employees that do not possess the expertise
to take on a complicated and rigorous endeavor. Prejudices and biases can be deep-seated and may be difficult for someone on the inside
to recognize. Since no two companies are alike, auditors must choose the right methodology, including both quantitative and qualitative
methods, and for such auditors to review not only information provided by the company but to gather its own information. Just one of the
many important facets of a racial equity or civil rights audit is to identify all relevant stakeholders, develop methods to gather the
necessary information, and interpret all data to form a cogent plan to address any inequities.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><I>Independence of the audit is paramount</I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Altria Group&rsquo;s offer to conduct an internal audit and appoint
an independent review board will not allow the company to objectively evaluate its policies and practices.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Without the expertise of an audit firm experienced in racial equity
and civil rights audits, many questions may be left unasked and relevant stakeholders may not be included. An independent review board
studying an audit from the company can only evaluate what it put in front of them. They would have no way of knowing what questions were
not asked, or whether interviews or questionnaires were developed to assure anonymity and promote candor.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><I>Reputational risk</I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Altria&rsquo;s lack of transparency around its history of targeting
minorities, low-income and under<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">age people poses reputational risks.</FONT></B></P>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">In March 2003, a judge found Philip Morris USA, a unit of Altria, liable
for failing to inform customers that its &ldquo;light&rdquo; cigarettes were just as harmful as their regular cigarettes. The amount awarded
was $10.1 billion.<SUP>18</SUP> In its defense against the lawsuit, the company argued that it did not deceive consumers its light cigarettes
have always been labeled with the surgeon general's warning.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">_____________________________</P>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>17</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Racial
Equity Audits: A New ESG Initiative (harvard.edu)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Despite its long-time stated policy against marketing to youth, in
2017 the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids released a report highlighting a massive international advertising program by Philip Morris featuring
various seductive images. The ad appeared in more than 50 countries.<SUP>19</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">In Great Britain in 2018, Philip Morris was accused of a disgraceful
PR stunt&rdquo; by offering to help the National Health Service (NHS) staff quit smoking&nbsp;to help mark the service&rsquo;s 70th birthday.
A Member of Parliament suggested that the offer was nothing more than business opportunity to promote the company&rsquo;s heated tobacco
products.<SUP>20</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">According to a racketeering lawsuit filed in U.S. federal court in
2000, Philip Morris engaged in smuggling and drug-money laundering over several years in a scheme to avoid taxes and boost sales of its
cigarettes. This civil lawsuit was filed by numerous Columbian governors accusing Philip Morris International of defrauding Columbian
states out of billions of dollars in lost tax revenue.<SUP>21</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">In 2001, Philip Morris published a study that found &ldquo;positive
effects&rdquo; of smoking. Including the early deaths of smokers that would save the government on housing, pension, and healthcare costs.<SUP>22</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>The tobacco industry&rsquo;s history of questionable business practices
can pose reputational risks to individual tobacco companies.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">As early as the 1930s and 1940s, tobacco manufacturers promoted cigarettes
in dubious ways. Medical professionals, such as doctors and dentists were hired to promote the beneficial qualities of particular cigarette
brands through advertisements. And although lung cancer diagnoses were spiking during this period, medical science had not yet linked
smoking and the disease.<SUP>23</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Many of these doctors acknowledged that smoking caused throat irritation,
but still promoted brands that they said caused less irritation that the competition. In one ad, a doctor is pictured with a young mother
and her little girl claiming that due to advances in medical science, the girl could possibly live to 100 years old. This is done while
the doctor also proclaims the virtues of smoking Camel cigarettes.<SUP>24</SUP> Another ad, for Marshall&rsquo;s Cubeb cigarettes, boldly
claimed their product was &ldquo;a sure remedy&rdquo; for nasal congestion, asthma, and the common cold.<SUP>25</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Beginning in the 1950s, tobacco companies targeted African American
communities with advertisement, promotions and sponsorships of community and music events designed to get menthol cigarettes into the
hands of Black Americans. Menthols, originally considered a &ldquo;specialty&rdquo; cigarette, marketed for reducing throat irritability,
was found <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">to be preferred by many new smokers due to its less harsh taste.<SUP>26</SUP></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">_____________________________</P>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>18</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Philip
Morris Is Convicted Of Fraud In Marketing - The New York Times (nytimes.com)</FONT></P>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>19</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Philip
Morris Says Marlboro Ad Campaign Doesn't Target Kids | Time</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>20</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">World's
biggest tobacco firm under fire over 'disgraceful' PR stunt | Philip Morris International | The Guardian</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>21</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Philip
Morris accused of smuggling, money-laundering conspiracy in racketeering lawsuit - ICIJ</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>22</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Smoking
Deaths Has &ldquo;Positive Effects&rdquo;: Claims Cigarette Company, Philip Morris - Spice Enquirer</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>23</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">When
Cigarette Companies Used Doctors to Push Smoking - HISTORY</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>24</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Photos:
History of tobacco health claims | CNN</FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">slide 3</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>25</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Photos:
History of tobacco health claims | CNN</FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">slide 10</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>26</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">0400.pdf
(tobaccofreekids.org)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">The overwhelming majority of smokers begin smoking while they are teenagers.
Because of this fact, tobacco companies know that, despite their lip service to the idea of keeping their products out of the hands of
youth, it is to their financial benefit to get young people exposed to and hooked on cigarettes at an early age. Many internal documents
and communications from tobacco companies that have become public as the result of various lawsuits have confirmed the strategies employed
to entice teens to smoke.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">For example, a 1974 report to the RJ Reynolds' board of directors stated
the company's interest in capturing market share among younger smokers, defined as those between the ages of 14&ndash;24 years. Additionally,
a 1978 memo from a Lorillard executive exclaimed that their Newport brand&rsquo;s &ldquo;base of our business is the high school student.&rdquo;
As early as the 1960s Philip Morris had commissioned studies examining the smoking habits of teenagers as young as 12 and 13 years. One
1963 study examined the brands smoked by teenagers aged 13&ndash;18 years, how much they smoked, what prompted them to begin smoking,
and how often they bought cigarettes from vending machines.&nbsp;A separate 1973 memorandum addressed to the vice president of Philip
Morris, James Morgan, discussed results of a survey commissioned by Philip Morris aimed at youths between 12&ndash;17 years of age who
smoked more than a pack a day.<SUP>27</SUP></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><U>CONCLUSION</U></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Altria Group&rsquo;s business operations greatly affect the lives of
not just its employees, suppliers, retail partners, and customers, but also entire communities, families, and the public in general. A
comprehensive and independent civil rights audit, assessing the impact of the company&rsquo;s policies and practices on all stakeholders,
particularly those targeted by this industry, is necessary to accurately determine if they adequately address potential legal, financial
and reputational risks. For the reasons stated above, we believe Altria&rsquo;s current disclosures are not adequate to inform shareholders
and protect their interests. Therefore, we urge shareholders to vote <U>FOR </U>Proposal 6 following the instructions provided on the
Company&rsquo;s proxy mailing. <B>This is not a solicitation of authority to vote your proxy. Please DO NOT send us your proxy card; the
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia are not able to vote your proxies, nor does this communication contemplate such an event.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><I>For questions regarding Altria Group Proposal 6 please contact Tom
McCaney<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, at </FONT></I><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><I>tmccaney@osfphila.org</I></FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><I>.
</I></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">_____________________________</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><SUP>27</SUP></FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Marketing
to America's youth: evidence from corporate documents | Tobacco Control (bmj.com)</FONT></P>


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