Philip Morris closes factory in Uruguay due to anti-tobacco laws

US tobacco company Philip Morris International (PMI) announced today through a communiqué, the closure of their factory in Uruguay, due to the pressing demand placed on them by Uruguay’s anti-tobacco laws. The company announced that they will transfer the local production to neighbouring country, Argentina.

“The broad availability and presence of illegal products in the market, combined with a reduction in demand and regulatory measures limiting the ability to do business, have all provoked that the maintenance of the factory not be viable,” the company communicated.

The closure of the factory means cutting 62 jobs, with Abal Hermanos products being made in Philip Morris International factories in Argentina, according to the company, who further affirmed that they would continue to sell their products in Uruguay.

Uruguay in 2006 became the first country in Latin America and the fifth in the world to go ‘smoke free’.