Philip Morris USA is a major American tobacco company and a division of Altria Group, Inc., which was formerly known as Philip Morris Companies Inc. It has been the leading cigarette manufacturer in the United States since the late 20th century, with iconic brands including Marlboro, Virginia Slims, Benson & Hedges, Merit, and Parliament. The company's origins trace back to 1847 when the Philip Morris family opened a tobacco shop in London, but the U.S. operations were formally incorporated in New York City in 1902 as Philip Morris & Co. Ltd. In 1919, it was acquired by American investors and restructured as Philip Morris & Co., focusing on the domestic market. Historically, Philip Morris USA has been heavily involved in lobbying efforts against smoking regulations, funding research that downplayed the health risks of tobacco, and engaging in aggressive marketing strategies targeted at youth and women, leading to significant public health controversies. The company has faced extensive litigation and regulatory scrutiny over the decades, including landmark lawsuits accusing it of concealing the addictive nature of nicotine and contributing to smoking-related diseases. In the 1990s and 2000s, Philip Morris was a key defendant in the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement of 1998, which resulted in billions of dollars in payments to states for healthcare costs and strict advertising restrictions. It has been criticized by organizations like the World Health Organization for its role in the global tobacco epidemic, with ongoing investigations into its influence on policy and science. The company has been accused of funding anti-regulatory think tanks and political donations to influence legislation, underscoring its extensive network of influence in business and policy spheres. Despite these challenges, Philip Morris USA remains a dominant force in the U.S. tobacco market, adapting to regulations through product diversification into smokeless tobacco and reduced-risk products, while continuing to face allegations of unethical practices in its pursuit of profits. As part of Altria Group, which separated its international operations into Philip Morris International in 2008, Philip Morris USA maintains exclusive rights to its brands in the U.S. market.