Merit Cigarettes

Merit is a cigarette brand that originally gained prominence in the United States during the mid-1970s. It was specifically formulated by Philip Morris to compete in the low-tar and light cigarette market using special flavoring processes designed to maintain taste despite reduced tar and nicotine levels.

The global manufacturing of Merit varies by region. Within the United States, it is distributed and manufactured by Philip Morris USA (a subsidiary of Altria Group). Internationally, including in European markets where Italian-language health warnings like the one in the image are found, the brand is owned and distributed by Philip Morris International (PMI). Manufacturing for European markets typically occurs in PMI's various facilities across the European Union, such as those in Poland, Germany, or Greece.

While originally sharing a parent company, Altria and Philip Morris International became two separate publicly traded entities in 2008. PMI is headquartered in Connecticut, USA (after moving from New York), though it operates exclusively outside the domestic US market, whereas Altria remains the domestic owner.