Bliley TI
[Tobacco Institute Progress Report for February 1990]
Abstract
Progress Report of various Tobacco Institute departments and initiatives. Broken down into the following chapters: 1)Excise Tax Issues; 2)Public Smoking Issues; 3)Advertising Issues; 4)Fire Safety; 5)Social Cost; 6)Media Relations; 7)Production Services; 8)Information Center. Contains table of contents (Lists "General Coalitions" chapter not included with document). Discusses internal issues and activities of each department for the month of February 1990, goals of each department for next month. Includes monthly budgetary charts for each department. Mentions names of people and organizations contacted by or otherwise involved with each department.
Fields
- Notes
(indexer.indexer_email WAS INVALID IN OLD DATABASE: CPM)
- Company
- TI
- Named Organization
- Advertising Research Foundation
- American Agriculture Movement
- American Federation of Government Employees
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air
- Associated Industries of Vermont
- Association of Flight Attendants
- Associations Librarians
- Canadian Tobacco Council
- Citizens for Tax Justice
- Coalition on Human Needs
- Coalition on Smoking and Health
- Conditioning
- Congressional Quarterly
- Consumer Tax Alliance
- Council for Tobacco Research
- Department of Transportation
- District 14
- Economic Policy Institute
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal News Service
- Federation of Government Employees
- Freedom to Advertise Coalition
- Georgia Technical Research Institute
- Healthy Buildings International
- Illinois Rainbow Coalition
- International Association of Fire Chiefs
- Leadership For The New Century
- National Association of Hispanic Publishers
- National Association of Manufacturers
- National Association of State Fire Marshals
- National Chamber Foundation
- National Energy Management Institute
- National Volunteer Fire Council
- New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
- Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce
- Solar Energy Research Institute
- South Shore Chamber of Commerce
- Texas Alliance on Human Needs
- Toxicology Forum
- United Food & Commercial Workers Local 324
- United States Fire Administration
- United States League of Savings Institutions
- Washington Legal Foundation
- Wellesly Chamber of Commerce
- Workplace Health Fund
- Type
- REPORT
- Keyword
- Legal Issues
- Lower Class
- Smoking and Health Controversy
- Named Person
- Amacher, R.
- Clark, J.
- Colby, Frank Gerhardt, Ph.D. (RJR R&D Research Director)R.J. Reynolds scientist. He was employed by RJR as head of then-to-be-founded Scientific Library and Information Division in 1951, Manager of Scientific Information Division 1965-1979, Associate Director of Scientific Information in 1980, and employed by Jacob Medinger & Finnegan as Chief Scientist in 1983.
- David, J.
- Durbin, R. (Rep)
- Holcomb, L.
- Hooks, B. (Dr.)
- Hunter, W.
- Johnson, J.
- Kelley, F.
- Kennedy, E. (Sen)
- Lautenberg, F. (Sen)
- Maples, M.
- Moeller, J.
- Peterson, J.
- Powell, F.
- Prendergast, B.
- Robertson, G.
- Schneider, C.
- Simpson (Sen)
- Slobodin, A.
- Sullivan, L. (Dr.)
- Tollison, B.
- Wagner, R.
- Weeks, D.
- Whitley, C.
- Author
- Booth, M.
- Cannell, A.
- Dawson [Moran], Brennan M. (TI Senior VP (known as Brennan Moran 1982-87))Tobacco Institute Senior Vice President.
- Fernicola, K.
- Gleeson, M.
- Hrycaj, C.
- Panzer, Frederick (TI VP of Issues Management c. 1988)Vice president of The Tobacco Institute, early 1970's
- Ransome, S.
- Stuntz, Susan M. (TI Issues Management Director, VP)Helped organize a program to create a backlash against the insurance industry after they instituted non-smoker discounts for policy holders.
- Thomas, K.
- Subject
- Airline Smoking Ban
- clean indoor air
- Federal Level
- Fire Safe Cigarettes
- government agency
- Health Effects
- Industry Strategies
- legislation
- poverty
- public policy
- Publications
- secondhand smoke
- State Level
- Taxes
- Tobacco Industry
- workplace
- youth access
- advertising
- Brand
- Virginia Slims (PM)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Excise Tax Issue
TBD, C. Hrycaj .....................................................
1
Public Smoking Issue
TBD, S. Ran,some, K. Thomas ..........................................
2
Advertising Issue
F. Panzer, TBD .....................................................
3
Rre Safety
K. Femicola .......................................................
4
Social Cost
TBD, C. Hrycaj .....................................................
5
Media Relations
B. Dawson ........................................................
6
General Coalitions
M. Gleason, S. Stuntz ................................................
7
Production Services
A. Cannell ........................................................ 8
Irfformation Center
M. Booth ..........................................................
9
CONFIDENTIAL: TIMN 362722
MINNESOTA TOBACCO LITIGATION
Primary Responsibility: TBD
Carol Hrycaj
~ve~vlew
In February, Congress began work on the FY 1991 budget.
Coalition allies, stressing opposition to excise taxes and
advocating fair taxation, followed and participated in the
"progressivity versus regressivity" debate. New qndertakings for
1990, including the op-ed program, the congressional district
campaign and the tax regressivity studies, continued to move
forward.
Eighlights
Several new excise tax projects progressed in February, including
the Coalition on Human Needs' congressional district campaign,
the Economic Policy Institute's consumption study, the Texas
Alliance on Human Needs' state campaign and consulting
economists' endeavors. These undertakings supplement the 1990
tax program and are an effort to aggressively bolster anti-
excise tax arguments and maintain a "fair taxation" environment.
The 1990 op-ed program involving consulting economists' articles
on the excise tax and "user fee" question moved forward last
month. We reviewed additional draft articles and returned them
to the authors to seek placement.
Meanwhile, the previously cleared op-eds continue to appear in
print. Recently published articles include those by J.R. Clark
(with placements in five different Tennessee newspapers); Ryan
Amacher (the A~de~son In~ependent-Ma~l); William Hunter (the
Milwaukee Journal); and John David (the Cha~eston Gazette).
Consulting economists sent letters to administration officials
reported to be looking for ways to justify a cigarette excise
tax/"user fee" connection. Many of the economists received a
direct response from a Treasury Department. official who appears
to have backed-off from the "user fee" notion.
In February, Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) testified by
invitation before the Ways & Means Committee on the effect of the
1985 Tax Reform Act. Another group, the Coalition on Human
Needs, is preparing testimony to submit for the committee's March
hearing on the federal budget.
CONFIDENTIAL: -
MINNESOTA TOBACCO LITIGATION' ' TIMN 362723
Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan, testifying
before the House Budget Committee in defense of the HHS FY 1991
budget, indicated that the administration would "keep an open
mind" about increasing tobacco taxes. Anticipating similar
remarks, we covered and reported on Sullivan's appearance before
the Senate Finance Committee.
The Coalition on Human Needs' (CHN) new congressional district
campaign is being implemented in six states. CHN affiliates,
with the guidance of the national office, apprised its membership
of congressional tax policy matters while reiterating support of
progressive economic policies.
In February, the Illinois Rainbow Coalition (the Coalition) held
a tax Justice conference in Chicago and released its study,
"Illinois Taxes: A Principle of Public Interest." The study
examines the impact of taxes in Illinois; it was the basis for
the conference sessions. The participants included prominent tax
policy experts who called for a fair, progressive tax system.
Following the presentations, the Coalition unanimously passed a
statement of principles advocating tax fairness and denouncing
regressive and inequitable revenue raisers, including excise
taxes.
The labor support groups' excise, tax studies continued to move
forward last month. The draft of the study examining the impact
of regressive taxes on working women will be available early
March. Despite the author's increased involvement on other time-
sensitive tax projects, work continues on this, and the other,
research.
In response to a request for Institute funding, we agreed to
provide support to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) for the
production of the group's new study on consumption. We also have
agreed to support the promotion of the study (scheduled to be
released in March). Specific activities will include media
outreach, Hill briefings and monitoring press coverage.
We are considering funding another effort to increase EPI's
visibility on the issue of tax fairness. The project would
involve the production of a Financial News~ Network (FNN) story
and video news release (VNR) on EPI's 1989 report, "A Progressive
Answer to the Federal Deficit." The FNNpiece would air several
times in March; the VNRwould be transmitted once.
Both the EPI consumption study and the FN~I story will help to lay
the groundwork for future activity, such as a conference on
economic policy and tax justice.
Leadership for the New Century (LNC) submitted proposals
requesting support for projects focusing on the health care
financing issue; the projects are under consideration. The
co m m'iAL: - TI31N
activities, new undertakings for 1990, would build on the group's
past activities, e.g., the December 1988 tax policy conference,
"Who Should Foot the Bill."
Last month, we met with consultants to discuss the American
Agriculture Movement's (AAM) priorities and project ideas for
this year. Among AAM's interests is a media program that would
be tied to both the 1990 Farm Bill and congressional budget
discussions. The effort would constitute a new venture for AAM.
AAM continued to disseminate the findings of its excise tax
study, forwarding additional copies at the request of legislators
from several states. AAMrepresentatives also attended the
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture mid-
year meeting, using the opportunity to follow up with the
membership on theAAMtax study.
With the New York tax situation heating up, AAMalso provided
state legislators from rural districts with copies of its 1989
excise tax study. Another AAMpublication, the excise tax
brochure, was sent to approximately 15,000 tobacco farmers in the
Southeastern United States t/trough a special direct mail service.
W~emet with State Activities staff and consultants to discuss
I public affairs assistance in Montana. AAM has identified two
I rural advocacy groups willing to provide assistance on taxes in
I the state. We await SAD's comments before activating AAMto
~proach either group.
The National Chamber Foundation (NCF) submitted a proposal for a
study on taxation. The NCF would examine the inefficiency of
excise taxes and explore alternatives to regressive excise taxes.
After reviewing t_he proposal with economists, we offered
recommendations on the project. A final determination will be
made in March.
~The Texas Alliance on Human Needs in February implemented its
~"~ostcard" campaign to communicate the group's oppositlon to
Ir~gressive taxes. The Texas legislature's, special session began
I late February; the leadership is expected to propose increasing
~gigarette excise taxes for education funding.
~.~
[ pDossibility of developing a plan to publiclze.. ....
the "bootlegging"
1 ~f oigarettes in high-tax states. The actlvltles would bulld,'in
| part, on the economic studies conducted last year that
.
~ demonstrated the consequences of excise tax increases in Illinois
~gdNew York.
The Consumer Tax Alliance (CTA) completed the airing of its anti-
excise tax ads. Public reaction to the spots was obtained from
tracking polls conducted while the ads were being tested;
additional data was collected from post-testing surveys.
CONFIDENTIAL: ,
MINNESOTA TOBACCO LITIGATION
Preliminary results indicate that the ads changed attitudes on
consumer excise taxes in the markets tested.
In February, we provided assistance to TI ~taff as they prepared
for a briefing on the tax issue for a member company.
Next Month's Goals
Release and promote EPI consumption study
Obtain approval of NCF Journal proposal
Review draft CLUW tax study
CONFIDENTIAL: ~ TllVI~ 362726
MINNESOTA TOBACCO LITIGATION
Public Relations Division Variance ~ualysis
Carol Hrycaj /
1305, Feb~ ~990
Sartin ~leason
Center ~er Xont~
Co~t Center
Projected kmt.
~oun~
uv~
Des~rlptlon E~penses Budget Budget
Dee. 31; 1990
5~01/R~prOo $i3", ~18 $23,333 $
(10,215) 0 Dem&nd
Print &
publications iS
Drafting
expected to
crease as the .-
year progresses.
7301/Prof. 90,768 105,833
(15,065} 0 Billing from
Fees some consultants
will appear in
upcoming months.
175011Support 215,768 131,833
83,935 0 Reflects funding
Tob. & Other for new tax
Organizations projects, as
well as ""
assistance in
select priority
states.
Total: $319,654 $261,000 $ 58,654
Pr~mar~esponsibility: ~ar~ha ~inker
SharonRansome
Kay Thomas
ovez'viev
In February, we continued to make progress implementing the
public smoking issue plan. Tobacco Institute staff and
consultants completed revisions to .three clhapters of the ETS
briefing book for science and health reporters. TI consultants
participated in six ETS/indoor air quality conferences and the
winter meeting of the Toxicology Forum. Tihe employers' guide for
Rhode Island has been completed and is being reviewed by the
Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.
Highlights
Indoor Air Oualitv
We continued to make progress in identifying and recruiting
academiu researchers to participate in the scientific witness
program. An additional eight scientists were contacted and began
reviewing the ETS literature. TI consultants will follow up in
March.
Two Institute consultants conducted presentations at a session on
health effects of environmental tobacco smoke held during the
Toxicology Forum's Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. Eight
additional consultants attended the session and participated in
the health effects debate.
We received and reviewed several preliminary proposals from
current academic experts to study the health effects of ETS,
including proposals on confounding factors, meta analysis (the
process of combining results of different investigations on a
related topic to arrive at a summary result) and a general health
effects review. Budgets and full proposals are scheduled for
review in March.
We received and reviewed a full proposal from Dr. Bernhardt
Lieberman of the University of Pittsburgh to conduct a social
scientific analysis of objectivity in ETS scientific research.
A decision on Dr. Lieberman's proposal is expected next month.
We continued to monitor EPA progress on the ETS risk assessment
currently scheduled for Science Advisory Board review in May.
Two Institute consultants began preparing a prospective critique
of the risk assessment based on currently available information.
Institute consultants drafted a critique of the Department of
Transportation's cabin air quality study for possible insertion
St~e ~ ~ ......... ' ' "
CONFIDENTIAL: 362728
MINNESOTA TOBACCO LITIGATION
Public Smoking - February Report
Page Two
in the Congressional Record. The letter notes that the DoT data
demonstrate that a separate smoking section on board aircraft
effectively eliminates nonsmoker exposure to ETS and points out a
number of severe weaknesses in the study's risk assessment of
ETS.
TI staff and consultants completed revisions of three chapters of
the ETS briefing book designed to encourage a better
understanding of ETS research among science and health reporters.
Tobacco Institute consultants participated in six ETS/indoor air
quality conferences, including the Society of Toxicology annual
meeting, the winter meeting of the American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Enginee~rs and the annual
indoor air quality symposium sponsored byGeorgia Tech Research
Institute.
The National Energy Management Institute conducted an indoor air
quality contractor training seminar in New York, bringing the
total number of contractors trained this year to approximately
85. NEMI's Frank Powell conducted three media interviews in New
York in connection with the seminar.
NEMI and Healthy Buildings International scheduled an indoor air
quality investigation for March at the national headquarters of
the American Federation of Government Employees.
NEMI continued working with representatives of the Solar Energy
Research Institute (SERI) to develop a pro!~osal for a study of
ventilation efficiency in office buildings.
LMC representatives worked with American Federation of Government
Employees District 14 and The Workplace Health Fund on an indoor
air quality presentation to be featured during next month's
worker health and safety conference in Washington, D.C. NEMI
agreed to help support the conference, and NEMI's Frank Powell
will conduct the IA~ workshop.
Labor Management Committee representatives worked with field
staff and United Food & Commercial Workers Local 3~4 in Buena
Park, California, to schedule an indoor air quality investigation
of a local union building. Concern about air quality in the
building helped bring about introduction of smoking restriction
legislation in the Buena Park City Council. Healthy Buildings
International will conduct the IAQ test in March.
LMC representatives received an invitation, to conduct an indoor
air quality presentation before theAmerican Federation of
Government Employees National Executive Board in March. The
cosymEwr : ' : TIMN 362729
MINNESOTA TOBACCO LITIGATION:
Public Smoking - February Report
Page Three
board includes the union's national presid~nt and secretary-
treasurer and approximately 25 national vi.~e-presidents.
Healthy Buildings International opened its first regional office,
headquartered in Massachusetts and designe,~ to serve the New
England area. We developed a media plan t,o promote HBI's
services in the northeast.
Corporate ISmoker Assistance
The Institute received approximately 60 requests for workplace
assistance from both employers and managers during the month of
February -- 17 management and 43 non-management requests.
Region I [CT, ME, MA, NH, RI and VT] is th.~ latest target area
for resource guide mailings. The following associations have
agreed to mail resource guides to members. Resource guides were
sent to these associations during February. They inolude:
Wellesley Chamber of Commerce
500
~ South Shore Chamber of Commerce
400
Associated Industries of Vermont
i00
The South Shore Chamber of Commerce has also agreed to provide TI
with additional namee from its mailing lis't -- 1,792. we
anticipate mailing approximately 7,000 resource guides throughout
Region I within the next several months.
The Rhode Island employers' guide has been completed and is
currently being reviewed by the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.
Completion of the brochure is expected within the next two
months.
The New Hampshire Chamber of Commerc.e has withdrawn from
sponsoring an employers' guide. Production has been placed on
hold until field staff can secure a new sponsor for the guide.
Plans have been made to prepare a procedure memorandum on the
production of employers' guides. Such a memo will eliminate the
potential for mistakes when the guides are rushed to print.
We continue to receive our normal inquiries for information
concerning smokers' rights in the workplace. Many of these
referrals are from member companies.
Newt Month's Goals
-- Continue to identify and recruit academic researchers for
the scientific witness pro~am
..... ' • , -
TIMN 362730
CON~DE~:
MINNESOTA TOBACCO LITIGATION ~--
