BC Ministry of Health
Document 32466
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PROJECT III. COMMUNICATIONST GOODWILL AND THE
SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE OF SMOKING
SUMMARY OF MAIN CONCLUSIONS
ORGANISATION FOR PUBLICITY
"
1. Each company should have a stated policy on Smoking &
Health matters.
2. There is a minimum need for a specialist to be employed
fu11-time on SmoklnE & Health publicity. This senior
manaEer would lead a SmokinE & Health Group.
The establishment of closer relationships, effective
contribution and commitment between departments would
best be formed through this Action Group.
~. The Company Chairman must be overall responsible for
Smoking & Health° The specialist for Smoking & Health
publicity must have access to the chairman to react
quickly. It depends on each company whether this manager
is part of marketing - or PR - department.
A budEet for SmoklnE & Health publicity must be considered
in the company plan.
Recommended Activities
Give urgent priority and take the initiative for reassurance
communication through:
a) paid articles in the mass media ¢ontentratinE
on those with large clrculstions or audiences~
b) Produce and distribute company or industry
publlcations of high quality°
c) Appropriate information for our own employees,
shareholders, the trade and supplierso
d) Gain the support of other non-tobacco industries.
BAT Industries document for Province of British Columbia 14 November 2000
BAT INDUSTRIES
00290474

We must achieve a balance of an aggressive, convlneinE
approach w£th the oautlon ~hat comes from eoa£nE the
risks £nvolvod.
3. Action must be taken to find out the boneflts of smoking
and communicate them not only to counteract our enem£te
but to reassure our friends.
~. Most important is to act rather than react in order to
pre-empt the antl-smoklng lobbyists.
5. In advertising we must avoid encouragement of Smoking &
Health anxiety. Communicate the product plus in the
interest o£ market share. We must learn to llve with the
conflict of constituent reduction and smoker reassurance.
GOODWILL
I. The company's most valuable asset is house and brand
goodwill. ExlstinE goodwill must~ therefore, be fostered
and improved to meat future market needs and always be
up-to-date.
2. Where exlstinE house or brand goodwill does not, today or
in the medium term, fit new brand positioning oppor-
t~mitles~ completely new brands/goodwill should be built
up.
THE ROLE OF MILLBANK
The role of M~llb~nk should be:-
~. To establlsh ~roup Policy.
~
2. Initiate and ¢o-ordlnate research into the benefits of
smoking with priority to social acceptability.
~. Gather, analyse~and communicate important world-wlde
smoklnE and health data and its implications under the
appropriate establishment.
28.20.76
Project Chairman: G. Uhe
BAT Industries document for Province of British Columbia 14 November 2000
BAT INDUSTRIES
00290475
