John Ruiz

John Ruiz is president of Philip Morris Colombia.

In June, 2009, Colombian Congressmen reported that the country's tobacco industry was offering bribes to lawmakers to stop the passage of an anti-tobacco law. Columbian senator Jesus Bernal Amorocho reported that representatives of the "tabacaleras" offered him money to "vote with us or do not assist in the voting." Bernal's claim was supported by other senators who said that they, too, were approached to help scuttle the tobacco restrictions.

The law was to restrict tobacco advertising and prohibit the sales of cigarettes by street vendors who sell single cigarettes. In response to these reports, Phillip Morris Colombia president John Ruiz admitted that his company had been lobbying members of the Colombian Congress, but he denied trying to bribe Congressmen to stop an anti-tobacco bill.

Sourcewatch resources

 * Philip Morris

External resources
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