3.29.2007 - 09:00am ET

(CSRwire) STAMFORD, CT - March 29, 2007 - Encouraged by the success of the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, and continuing a long history of support for KAB’s anti-litter efforts, Philip Morris USA (PM USA) has provided a significant grant to support the organization’s diverse programs in 2007 and beyond.

The grants, which total $3 million (U.S.), include a $2 million restricted grant dedicated to increasing awareness of litter issues, advancing litter prevention strategies, and expanding KAB’s litter prevention programs. The restricted grant supports a continuing joint effort by KAB and PM USA to address the impact of litter, and especially cigarette butt litter, in communities across the United States.

The remaining $1 million further supports an unrestricted grant that KAB will use to create a sustainability fund, supporting the organization’s broader, long-term efforts to improve communities through beautification, waste reduction and recycling programs, as well as litter prevention.

"Keep America Beautiful considers all littering, regardless of product, as a behavioral issue," said Keep America Beautiful President, G. Raymond Empson, "and we know that behaviors can be changed. Support from PM USA will continue to allow us to create a culture of personal responsibility among all consumers, while giving them the tools they need to make sustainable choices."

"Philip Morris USA is working to help reduce cigarette butt litter," said Tina Walls, senior vice president, external affairs, for PM USA. "We are proud to support Keep America Beautiful, a national leader in litter reduction, and its mission of 'engaging individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments.'"

"Keep America Beautiful, Inc. is encouraged that Philip Morris USA has taken a significant and proactive role in reducing litter, especially cigarette butt litter," added Empson. "We are happy to partner with them to address litter in its many forms, and we're thankful for this financial support that will sustain KAB programs for years to come."

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. With a network of nearly 1,000 affiliate and participating organizations, Keep America Beautiful forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. To learn more about Keep America Beautiful, go to www.kab.org. For more information about the KAB Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, go to www.preventcigarettelitter.org.

About Philip Morris USA

Philip Morris USA is an operating company of Altria Group Inc (NYSE: MO). For more information about Philip Morris USA, our programs and positions on tobacco-related issues, please visit us at www.philipmorrisusa.com.

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