Altria Group to conduct equity and inclusion evaluation

Altria Group is set to perform an equity and inclusion assessment. This assessment stems from a shareholder proposal made last year, which suggested that Altria commission an audit of equity and inclusion rights and seek to address feedback received from recent shareholder engagement.

This assessment will review Altria's policies, practices, plans, and services aimed at addressing the harms associated with tobacco use, as well as the effectiveness of the company's efforts to reduce harm, including underage tobacco prevention programs, smoking cessation support, responsible marketing practices and regulatory involvement, and public policy engagement. The assessment will include an evaluation of these policies, practices, plans, and services targeted at communities of color and youth, as well as the company's progress in inclusion, diversity, and equity (ID&E).

Altria will lead an evaluation that will be supervised by an external consulting review committee. This committee is composed of independent third-party members who have relevant expertise in areas such as civil rights, identity and equity, law/enforcement, public policy, public health, and youth development. The external consulting review committee will provide recommendations and monitor the evaluation, including its scope, stakeholder engagement, and the presentation of investigation results in the final published report. This report will be guaranteed by third-party companies.

Altria plans to release a report discussing the evaluation results on its website within 12 months after the assessment begins.