Altria Working on Contingency Plan After Order Banning IQOS

Altria Group Inc., the maker of Marlboro cigarettes in the U.S., is weighing its options after federal officials moved to block the import of IQOS devices, a key product for the company.

The U.S. International Trade Commission said Wednesday that both Altria and Philip Morris International Inc. -- which sells the devices in other countries -- infringe patents owned by rival Reynolds American Inc. That means IQOS products will be banned in 60 days unless the move is blocked by the Biden administration. The companies could also appeal, though that could take years.

Altria spokesman David Sutton said the ...