Author: Ed Sweda

Edward L. Sweda, Jr., is Senior Attorney for the Tobacco Products Liability Project (TPLP), a project of PHAI. Having been active in tobacco control since 1979 with a particular focus on the legislative and litigation aspects of public policy, Mr. Sweda has worked to promote tobacco litigation and thereby force tobacco companies to bear legal and financial responsibility for the harm caused by the intended use of their products. Articles authored or co-authored by Mr. Sweda have appeared in Trial Magazine, the European Journal of Public Health, Indoor Pollution Law Report, the British Medical Bulletin, Tobacco Control and the New York State Journal of Medicine.

2018 Altria Group Annual Shareholders Meeting – A Time of Transitions

By Edward L. Sweda, Jr., Senior Attorney It became clear in the months leading up to the May 17th Annual Shareholders Meeting for Altria Group that 2018 would be a time for change for the company. In January, Chairman, CEO and President Martin Barrington publicly announced his intention to retire due to the approach of […]

Spending 45 Minutes with 80 of My Fellow Altria Shareholders

by Edward L. Sweda, Jr. As soon as Altria Group, Inc. Chairman, CEO and President Martin J. Barrington opened the 2016 Annual Shareholders Meeting, he boasted that 2015 had been “another terrific year.” The “excellent business results” included dividends increasing by 8.7% (to $4.2 billion) and a shareholder return of more than 23%. Marlboro, with […]

May 5, 2016 – a RAIny day in Winston-Salem

By Edward L. Sweda, Jr. When Reynolds American International (RAI) President and CEO Susan M. Cameron told the company’s 2016 annual shareholders meeting that it is “always a pleasure to report good news,” this shareholder was reminded of a similar message: “Alive with Pleasure.” That ubiquitous advertising slogan for Newport cigarettes […]