Phillip Morris Colombia president John Ruiz admitted Friday that his tobacco
company had been lobbying in Colombian Congress, but denied trying to
bribe Congressmen to stop an anti-tobacco bill.
“I admit that we had done lobbying, which is legal. We have different views on the bill that has been discussed for a year and a half (…) We have never tried to break the law in order to get our interests”, Ruiz told W Radio.
Colombian Congressmen say that the country’s tobacco industry is offering bribes to lawmakers to stop the passing of an anti-tobacco law. The law is to restrict tobacco advertising and prohibit the sales of cigarettes by street vendors who sell cigarettes by piece.
Ruiz said that the only point of disagreement with the bill is the size of the health warning on the cigarette packs.
“If someone has suspicions in this matter, he should file a complaint with the Prosecution”, President of Phillip Morris added.