Philip Morris Company Charged With Blasphemy

RICHMOND (EAP) -- Philip Morris Inc. has been charged with blasphemy by several groups of conservative Christians after the company introduced a new warning message on their packages of cigarettes which says "Smoking can help you meet Jesus sooner."

The warning message was intended to indicate that people who smoke die sooner than those who don't, but it fell flat on its face, so it seems.

"We were trying to present the dangers of smoking in a more positive or acceptable light," said Karen Reed, marketing director for Philip Morris.