We believe American tobacco is among the highest quality in the world. Because our premium brands require high-quality tobacco, we work to build strong relationships with America’s tobacco growers through our Tobacco Leaders Program.
American tobacco is the backbone of the cigarettes Philip Morris USA makes. A stable supply of U.S. tobacco is important to us because every Marlboro cigarette we sell is made predominantly of American tobacco. PM USA purchases tobacco from several thousand farmers concentrated primarily in five states.
As a major purchaser of American tobacco, we need sufficient amounts of the right qualities and grades to make our high-quality products.
The way tobacco is purchased has changed significantly over the last decade. PM USA has taken a number of steps to engage directly with growers and to understand on-farm issues and opportunities.
In 2000, we launched a new direct contracting program, now known as the Tobacco Leaders Program, which fundamentally changed the way PM USA procured tobacco in the U.S.
The Tobacco Leaders Program encourages consistent high quality, innovation, efficiency and open communications between the company and growers. Through grower representatives who live and work in tobacco-growing communities, PM USA communicates and engages with growers to support the Tobacco Leaders Program.
PM USA works with America’s tobacco growers to:
- Promote the production of high-quality tobacco using responsible environmental and labor management practices
- Encourage innovation on the farm for greater efficiency and improved quality
- Understand the challenges growers face and advance solutions that make sense both for growers and our business
- University extension. PM USA and USSTC contribute funding to universities and support extension programs to promote the availability of quality information for tobacco growers in areas that include worker safety and labor management.
- Taking root. PM USA and USSTC’s Taking Root program strengthens their supply base within the next generation of growers. Growers participate in leadership development sessions and learn more about these companies' businesses.
- Scholarships. Since 2000, PM USA has offered educational scholarships that recognize the importance of growers to our business. PM USA has awarded more than $2.5 million in educational scholarships to the families of tobacco growers.
