Philip Morris Seals Deal for UK’s Vectura Despite Health Group Concerns

Philip Morris International's research and development headquarters are pictured next to the company's cigarette factory in Neuchatel, Switzerland, on March 17, 2017. Paritosh Bansal/Reuters

Cigarette maker Philip Morris (PMI) clinched its 1.1 billion-pound takeover of asthma inhaler maker Vectura on Thursday, winning the support of the British company’s shareholders despite the concerns of health professionals.

Vectura’s shareholders decided to take the 165 pence-per-share offer from PMI, with nearly 75 percent backing the deal.