Created by the company Liggett & Myers in 1953, L&M is a brand of cigarettes produced by Altria Group, Inc. (previously known as Philip Morris Companies, Inc.). Prior to a new roll out in October 2007, they were not very common in the continental US, but were and are sold almost everywhere in Puerto Rico, Israel, Syria and Egypt. They are also widely available in Europe. Due to new labeling regulations in Europe banning the use of the word 'lights' names of some cigarette brands have been changed, ie. L&M Lights are now L&M Blue Label.