Philip Morris ups most cigarettes 5 cents a pack

CHICAGO, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Philip Morris USA on Wednesday in effect raised the price of Marlboro and most other brands of cigarettes it sells by 5 cents a pack.

The largest U.S. cigarette company is cutting the promotional allowances it gives wholesale distributors on Marlboro, Basic, Parliament and L&M by 50 cents a carton, or 5 cents a pack, as of Sept. 10, a company spokesman said.

It is also cutting the promotional allowance on Virginia Slims by $2 a carton, or 20 cents a pack, the spokesman said.

Reductions in promotional allowances are typically passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. The average price for a pack of cigarettes can vary widely due to differences in local taxes.

The company is also raising the list price on its other cigarette brands by 50 cents per carton, or 5 cents a pack, the spokesman said.

The move marks the first broad price increase for Philip Morris, a unit of Altria Group Inc (MO.N), this year. (Reporting by Brad Dorfman)