Altria Board of Directors Announces Intention to Pursue the Spin-Off of Philip Morris International and Increases Regular Quarte

    


Altria Group Inc



The Board of Directors of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) today announced its
intention to pursue the spin-off of Philip Morris International Inc. to Altria's
shareholders and voted to increase the company's regular quarterly dividend.

The new quarterly dividend of $0.75 per common share is up 8.7% from the
previous rate of $0.69 per common share, and represents an annualized rate of
$3.00 per common share. The dividend is payable on October 10, 2007 to
stockholders of record as of September 14, 2007. The ex-dividend date is
September 12, 2007.

Regarding the contemplated spin-off of Philip Morris International, the Altria
Board of Directors anticipates that it will be in a position to finalize its
decision and announce the precise timing of the spin-off at its regularly
scheduled meeting on January 30, 2008.

In addition to a final determination by the Board, the spin-off of Philip Morris
International will be subject to the receipt of a favorable ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service, the receipt of an opinion of tax counsel, the
effectiveness of a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as well as the execution of several intercompany agreements and the
finalization of other matters.

Upon completion of the plan, it is anticipated that Michael E. Szymanczyk will
be appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Altria Group, Inc. and
Louis C. Camilleri will assume that role at Philip Morris International Inc.

"Today's announcement underscores our sustained and determined commitment to
create enduring long-term shareholder value. I am convinced that this
transaction will enhance growth at both Altria and Philip Morris International,"
said Mr. Camilleri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Altria.

Conference Call

Altria will host a live audio webcast of a conference call today at 1:00 p.m.
ET. During the webcast, Mr. Camilleri will discuss today's announcement and take
questions from the investment community and news media. The webcast will be in a
listen-only mode. Access is available at www.altria.com. An archived copy of the
webcast will be available until 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, September 28, 2007.

Altria Group, Inc. Profile

As of June 30, 2007, Altria Group, Inc. owned 100% of Philip Morris
International Inc., Philip Morris USA Inc. and Philip Morris Capital
Corporation, and approximately 28.6% of SABMiller plc. The brand portfolio of
Altria Group, Inc.'s tobacco operating companies includes such well-known names
as Marlboro, L&M, Parliament and Virginia Slims. Altria Group, Inc. recorded
2006 net revenues from continuing operations of $67.1 billion.

Trademarks and service marks mentioned in this release are the registered
property of, or licensed by, the subsidiaries of Altria Group, Inc.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains projections of future results and other
forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and
are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could cause
actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in such
forward-looking statements.

Altria Group, Inc.'s tobacco subsidiaries (Philip Morris USA and Philip Morris
International) are subject to intense price competition; changes in consumer
preferences and demand for their products; fluctuations in levels of customer
inventories; the effects of foreign economies and local economic and market
conditions; unfavorable currency movements and changes to income tax laws. Their
results are dependent upon their continued ability to promote brand equity
successfully; to anticipate and respond to new consumer trends; to develop new
products and markets and to broaden brand portfolios in order to compete
effectively with lower-priced products; and to improve productivity.

Altria Group, Inc.'s tobacco subsidiaries continue to be subject to litigation,
including risks associated with adverse jury and judicial determinations, and
courts reaching conclusions at variance with the company's understanding of
applicable law and bonding requirements in the limited number of jurisdictions
that do not limit the dollar amount of appeal bonds; legislation, including
actual and potential excise tax increases; discriminatory excise tax structures;
increasing marketing and regulatory restrictions; the effects of price increases
related to excise tax increases and concluded tobacco litigation settlements on
consumption rates and consumer preferences within price segments; health
concerns relating to the use of tobacco products and exposure to environmental
tobacco smoke; governmental regulation; privately imposed smoking restrictions;
and governmental and grand jury investigations.

Altria Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are subject to other risks detailed from
time to time in its publicly filed documents, including its Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007. Altria Group, Inc. cautions that
the foregoing list of important factors is not complete and does not undertake
to update any forward-looking statements that it may make.

    Contact: Altria Group, Inc.
             Nicholas M. Rolli, 917-663-3460
             Timothy R. Kellogg, 917-663-2759
Altria Group (LSE:ALA)
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