Philip Morris Adds Sales Warning

In about two months, consumers will notice a new label on the side of some cigarette packages saying “Underage Sale Prohibited.”

Philip Morris USA, the nation’s largest tobacco company, announced the new labels as the government debates whether to regulate tobacco as an addictive drug.

Marlboro Lights packages with the new warning began rolling off production lines Tuesday at all three domestic Philip Morris plants. The notice, in small print, appears on the same side of the package as the federally required surgeon general’s warning that cigarette smoking is hazardous.

Philip Morris announced in June it was ending cigarette giveaways, and it threatened to penalize merchants who sell tobacco to minors.