Ministers have been urged to intervene in tobacco giant Philip Morris’s £1 billion takeover of the lung treatments specialist Vectura.
The US -listed Marlboro maker last week agreed a 150p-a-share deal to buy Vectura. The company, based in Wiltshire, makes inhalers to treat asthma and respiratory diseases — conditions often exacerbated by smoking.
Big tobacco’s approach has prompted outrage among politicians. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said it was “totally wrong” that Philip Morris would seek to profit from conditions such as asthma and serious lung disease. “[It] has done absolutely nothing positive for people’s health, and instead has done everything possible to try and stop governments passing anti-smoking legislation,” he said.
“If they are really serious about making amends, they should be investing their
Sabah Meddings & Jamie Nimmo – The Sunday Times – 2021-07-11.
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