PHILIP MORRIS PUNTS "TV ADS"

Philip Morris Inc. said it would "voluntarily" remove cigarette ads on billboards in baseball, basketball, football and hockey stadiums and arenas after the Justice Department said they circumvent the 24-year-old ban on televised cigarette advertising. Justice said the Marlboro manufacturer's signs had appeared prominently in televised sports coverage in 14 football stadiums, 14 baseball parks and five basketball arenas. Philip-Morris denied that a threatened civil suit over the matter had forced its hand.